In Maryland, adult-use cannabis sales begin July 1

Regulated adult-use cannabis sales begin Saturday in Maryland. These sales begin seven months after cannabis legalization by state voters in November.

People aged 21 and over will now be able to buy recreational cannabis in the state, and the cannabis law will allow :

• The conversion of existing medical license holders to a new license authorizing the cultivation, manufacture and sale of medical and adult-use cannabis
• A single supply chain for all products grown or produced in Maryland
• An application and licensing procedure for new companies

The rules put in place to prepare the market include provisions relating to social equity, such as the social equity partnership assistance program, reduced license and renewal fees for social equity businesses, and the obligation for existing businesses to distribute or reserve distribution space for social equity businesses.

Meg Nash, a partner at law firm Vicente LLP specializing in cannabis and psychedelics, told High Times «Maryland's rapid implementation of its adult-use cannabis program is remarkable and will hopefully serve as a model for other states that share the policy goals of increasing access to safe cannabis products and deterring participation in the unregulated industry.»

«Maryland's cannabis administration shows no signs of slowing down, as a new licensing cycle exclusively for social equity applicants is expected to be announced in the coming months, and new licensees will be selected by lottery before the end of the year.»

The new regulations also complete the current state medical cannabis program, to maintain best practices and establish special accommodations for medical patients.

These include patient hours for medical-only distribution, patient-only lanes in licensed dispensaries, and products reserved for medical patients. The current patient and caregiver registry and registration procedure will be maintained, as will access to delivery services for patients.