It is starting to look like lawmakers in Maryland are ready to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. On Jan 12, 2022, these lawmakers met in Annapolis to discuss legalizing marijuana for recreational use.
While it appears that most members of the Senate and the House are on board with making marijuana legal, their approaches seem to differ. If efforts to legalize the substance succeed, Upper Marlboro residents must still be cautious to avoid cannabis-related charges such as drug distribution and possession.
When would marijuana finally be legal?
Should attempts to legalize recreational cannabis win out, do not expect weed shops to open immediately. According to reports, lawmakers have many regulatory details to work out. A few examples of these details include:
- Marijuana taxation issues
- Licensing requirements
- Regulations for use and sale
- Home cultivation rules
The House of Delegates wants residents to vote on recreational marijuana even though regulatory matters still need addressing. By contrast, the Senate wants the ballot to include regulatory information to ensure residents have up-to-date information when voting on recreational cannabis.
As far as when marijuana will be legal for recreational use, estimates say not before 2023. In the meantime, it is extremely wise to remain compliant with the state’s current marijuana laws.
For example, possessing marijuana is still against the law and could result in fines and possible incarceration. If you share your cannabis with other people or sell a little to a friend, you could find yourself looking at drug distribution charges. A conviction may lead to years of prison confinement and fines of $15,000 to $1 million, depending upon the severity of the offense.
For now, we suggest keeping an eye on the evolution of marijuana laws in Maryland so that you will know when it is finally legal to indulge recreationally.