Recreational Marijuana Becomes Legal On Saturday: What Baltimore County Residents Need To Know

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Starting this Saturday, nearly 100 marijuana dispensaries across Maryland are set to begin sales to adults aged 21 and above. The occasion is expected to draw large crowds to the state's transitioned dispensaries, formerly medical marijuana vendors, who have chosen to switch their licenses to accommodate recreational marijuana sales

How Will Legal Marijuana Work in Maryland and Baltimore County?

Starting on Saturday, July 1, adults in Maryland are allowed to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or an aggregate amount of cannabis products not exceeding 750mg of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. This "personal use amount" is also the maximum quantity one can purchase at a dispensary. All cannabis products sold in Maryland will be subjected to a 9% sales tax.

Adults are also permitted to privately grow up to two secured cannabis plants per residence, on their property or with the owner's permission, and out of public view and reach of individuals under 21.

In addition, the smell of marijuana will no longer serve as sufficient cause for law enforcement to search a vehicle. However, other forms of probable cause for search will still be valid. The bill responsible for this alteration was passed by lawmakers who argued that since marijuana possession will no longer be illegal, its scent should not justify a vehicle search. Gov. Wes Moore allowed the bill to become law without signing it.

State law stipulates that residents are not allowed to sell cannabis. Selling cannabis in amounts below the personal use amount is classified as a misdemeanor under the new regulations and is punishable by up to three years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Crossing state lines with marijuana or having it on federal property, including national parks and military bases, can also lead to charges due to marijuana's federal "schedule one" status. Furthermore, smoking cannabis in public is a civil offense and may be penalized by up to a $50 fine for a first offense. Subsequent offenses can incur penalties of up to $150.

It is important to note that selling or gifting cannabis in excess of the Personal Use amount or accepting payment for cannabis in excess of the Personal Use amount may qualify as possession with the intent to distribute. This much more serious crime carries penalties of three years imprisonment and/or a $5000 fine.

Despite legalization, employers are not required to permit its use. Various businesses have ceased marijuana testing, but employers can still enforce policies against marijuana use. Employees should consider these factors and the potential risks before partaking.

The Baltimore County Council passed Bill 36-23 in June. The legislation maintains the current permissible zones for cannabis dispensaries, with a strict rule prohibiting the establishments from opening within 500 feet of schools or daycares. However, to align with the updated state regulations, the required spacing between dispensaries has been reduced from 2,500 feet to 1,000 feet.

Baltimore County Dispensaries Set for Saturday Opening

In Baltimore County, more than a dozen medical marijuana dispensaries will convert their licenses to permit recreational sales starting Saturday. The following dispensaries in Baltimore County have converted their licenses via the Maryland Cannabis Administration to sell marijuana to adults aged 21 or older, as long as they can present a government-issued photo ID.

Towson

• Zen Leaf Towson
  • 101 E Chesapeake Ave. Suite 102, Towson, MD 21286
• Far & Dotter
  • 2060-A York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
• Trulieve
  • 1526 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093
• Chesacanna
  • 10534 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
• Kip
  • 9 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
• Blue Ridge Wellness
  • 9413 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234

Perry Hall

• Health for Life White Marsh
  • 4741 Ridge Road, Nottingham, MD 21236
• Mana Supply Co. Middle River
  • 100 Carroll Island Road, Middle River, MD 21220
• Green Goods Baltimore
  • 717 North Point Blvd., Dundalk, MD 21224
• Health for Life Baltimore
  • 6807 Rolling Mill Road, Dundalk, MD 21224

Owings Mills/Reisterstown

• Remedy Baltimore
  • 7175 Security Blvd. Suite 102, Windsor Mill, MD 21244
• The Living Room
  • 1636 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
• Curaleaf Reisterstown
  • 11722 Reisterstown Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136

Other Recreational Dispensaries Opening in Baltimore County

• Trulieve Halethorpe
  • 3531 Washington Blvd. #112, Halethorpe, MD 21227
• ETHOS Catonsville
  • 6328 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21228
• Nirvana Center
  • 5225 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21229

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