Maryland to vote for or against cannabis legalization

On November 8, 2022, Maryland residents will vote to elect their governor… and to legalize—or not—recreational cannabis. This is the result of a law, approved by the House of Delegates and then by the Senate of this state, located just a stone's throw from the capital, Washington, D.C.

If Maryland’s 6 million residents vote «yes,» cannabis will be legal starting July 1, 2023. Adults over the age of 21 will be allowed to possess up to 42 grams of cannabis. It will also be legal to grow two cannabis plants at home. Criminal records for cannabis possession will be expunged. And people currently in prison for using or selling cannabis will be released.

At this stage, the law does not yet provide details on licensing for stores or the tax rate. State representatives and senators will only provide these details if the bill is passed. Opponents of legalization argue that Maryland is putting the cart before the horse.

66 % of residents in favor of legalization

«First, we need to make sure we remove the barriers for certain people, such as expunging criminal records. Then, we'll address issues related to taxes and licenses.», the justifies Democratic Representative Luke Clippinger, who introduced the bill.

The «social justice» aspect of cannabis legalization is very important in Maryland. In fact, it is one of the U.S. states with the largest Black population. 30 % of the residents are African American, making it the state with the fourth-highest proportion. And in the United States, Black people are the most affected by laws cracking down on cannabis.

Will residents vote for or against legalization? A recent poll watch 66 % of Maryland residents support such a measure. Even though the margin of error for this study is 4 %, the result seems almost certain. A recently published report in fact provided for legalization in Maryland in 2023. If that happens, it would become the 20th state (out of fifty) to approve the plant.