Maryland Collects $18.4M in Cannabis Tax Revenue for April-June Quarter

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Comptroller’s Office issued a quarterly report showing the state gathered more than $18.4 million in sales tax from adult-use Cannabis between April and June 2025, a period that saw the Central Region contribute the most to the total. This marks a slight uptick from the $17.6 million collected in the October-December 2024 quarter but falls short of the $22.3 million high reached in April-June 2024.

The revenue stems from a 9% tax rate on recreational Cannabis products, which applied through the end of June. Starting July 1, 2025, the rate rose to 12% as part of the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act, directing the extra 3% to the state’s General Fund. Medical Cannabis sales remain untaxed.

Of the $18.4 million, about $8.6 million goes to designated funds, including $3 million for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which aids areas hit hard by past drug enforcement policies. Counties, municipalities, the Cannabis Public Health Fund, and the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund each receive $429,085. The balance supports the General Fund and operational costs for the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Quarterly collections have shown variability since recreational sales began in July 2023. After climbing to $22.3 million in the spring of 2024, revenues dipped to $18.3 million in July-September 2024 and $17.6 million in the final quarter of that year, totaling around $73 million for 2024. The recent $18.4 million figure indicates stabilization, though analysts point to possible factors like seasonal demand shifts or slower-than-expected entry of new dispensaries from social equity licensing rounds.

Looking ahead, the tax hike could boost future hauls, especially as projections for fiscal year 2025 anticipated over $100 million based on sales topping $1.1 billion. Yet with only partial data available, actuals may adjust if market dynamics change.