Maryland Becomes 20th State to Launch Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

LOS ANGELES– Starting July 1, Maryland will join the growing list of states in the United States to legalize adult-use cannabis sales. This milestone comes less than eight months after the state’s voters approved a constitutional amendment proposed by the state Legislature. With a population of 6.2 million residents, Maryland’s move means that 45% of the U.S. population now has access to adult-use cannabis, based on 2022 state population data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Maryland’s new regulations offer existing medical retail licensees the opportunity to convert their operations to adult-use sales. These licensees, who have paid a one-time conversion fee based on their 2022 gross revenue, will be able to take advantage of being early movers in the market. Maryland allows up to four retail facilities per company, and given the state’s high population density and its bordering proximity to Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, which currently do not have adult-use sales, Maryland presents an attractive market for cannabis operators.

Notable industry players like Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, Cresco Labs, and Columbia Care are eager to transition their operations to serve the adult-use market in Maryland. Curaleaf has announced that all four of its dispensaries in Maryland will convert to adult-use sales, hosting launch events with entertainment, food, and giveaways. These companies recognize the potential of Maryland’s market, especially as regulations have limited their participation in New York’s adult-use program until later this year.

While serving Maryland’s medical cannabis market since 2017, Curaleaf assures its commitment to the patient community and intends to preserve the integrity of the medical program. The state’s licensed dispensaries have reported nearly $40 million per month in medical cannabis sales in 2023, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration. The transition to adult-use sales aligns with Maryland’s commitment to promoting equity and restorative justice as the industry progresses. The state has established an Office of Social Equity to ensure inclusion, accountability, and fairness for businesses entering the adult-use cannabis market.

Furthermore, Maryland’s upcoming round of cannabis licensing will be exclusively available to social equity applicants, financially backed by a cannabis business assistance fund created by the state Legislature. These licenses are expected to be issued in early 2024. In the meantime, existing medical operators will be the first to serve the adult-use market, providing Maryland residents with regulated products and aiming to diminish the illicit market. Starting July 1, adults aged 21 and older will be allowed to legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to two plants in their private residencies.

As Maryland joins the ranks of states legalizing adult-use cannabis sales, industry operators and advocates celebrate this historic moment, recognizing the positive impact it will have on reducing police interactions related to cannabis and providing safe access for adult consumers. The move represents a significant step forward for social progress and economic growth, with the state focused on fostering a thriving and equitable adult-use cannabis market.