Marijuana laws have changed in Maryland, as they have in much of the country. Both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are legal within the state.
However, some people mistakenly assume this means you can no longer be arrested for marijuana-related charges. It’s not quite that simple. There are still many ways you can be arrested for violating the laws. It’s important to understand how these work, so a few examples are noted below.
The age requirement
One of the clearest laws that must be followed is that — similar to alcohol possession — someone who possesses or uses recreational marijuana has to be 21 years old or older. If they’re underage, they could still be arrested, even though general recreational use is now allowed.
Growing marijuana at home
It is legal to grow marijuana plants at home, but there are still regulations that must be followed. For example, you must keep the plants you are growing out of public view. Additionally, you are only allowed to cultivate two plants at your house. You could be arrested if you are running a large-scale grow operation without the proper licensing.
Making illegal sales
Furthermore, recreational marijuana, much like medical marijuana, can only be sold from licensed dispensaries. If you grow plants at home and then sell the products to other people, that’s still a violation of the law—even though you are allowed to grow those plants and the people making the purchase are over 21. Licensed dispensaries must follow strict regulations, so personal sales are prohibited.
Your defense options
If you have been accused of violating marijuana laws, the ramifications can be significant. Take the time to carefully consider all of the legal defense options at your disposal.