Maryland Marijuana Laws (2026): A Beginner’s Guide
The Complete Guide to the Legal Status of Marijuana in Maryland
Quick answer: Yes, recreational marijuana is legal in Maryland for adults 21 and older, and medical marijuana is legal too. The personal use amount is 1.5 ounces of flower, 12 grams of concentrate or 750 mg of THC in products. Adults can grow 2 plants per household, and registered medical patients can grow 4.
Last verified: October 20, 2026, against the Maryland Cannabis Administration adult-use FAQs. Laws change, so check the official site before you travel or buy.
| Recreational | Yes. Voters approved it in 2022, and it took effect July 1, 2023. |
|---|---|
| Medical | Yes (Maryland Medical Cannabis Program) |
| Minimum age | 21 for adult use; medical patients can be younger with a caregiver |
| Possession limit | 1.5 oz flower, 12 g concentrate or 750 mg THC in products |
| Home grow | 2 plants per household (21+); 4 for registered medical patients |
| Public use | Not allowed (civil fine) |
| Driving limit/DUI rule | Impairment-based; no set THC number |
| Medical card for visitors | Out-of-state cards aren’t accepted (check the official site), but visitors 21+ can buy at adult-use prices |
Who can buy?
Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID can buy, whether they live in Maryland or not. Registered Maryland medical patients and caregivers can also buy, and they skip the state sales tax on medical purchases.
Maryland voters approved Question 4 in November 2022 by a wide margin, and adult-use sales started July 1, 2023. Most existing medical dispensaries simply began selling to adults that day. The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) regulates both markets.
Federal reminder: recreational marijuana is still Schedule I under federal law. State-licensed medical marijuana moved to Schedule III in April 2026, and broader rescheduling was paused on September 29, 2026. Maryland has a lot of federal property, including military bases, federal offices and NIH campuses, and cannabis is illegal on all of it.
Where can you buy?
Only at MCA-licensed dispensaries. Expect a 12% sales tax on adult-use purchases. That rate took effect July 1, 2025, up from 9%. Dispensaries can’t sell you more than the personal use amount in a single day, and vape cartridges count as concentrate when they’re weighed toward that limit.
Be careful with gas-station “THC” products. Maryland restricts hemp-derived products marketed with more than 0.5 mg of THC per serving or 2.5 mg per package. On top of that, the federal hemp law passed in November 2025 ends legal status for intoxicating hemp products like delta-8 and THCA flower, with the main provisions taking effect December 11, 2026.
How much can you buy or possess?
The “personal use amount” for adults 21+ is:
- Up to 1.5 ounces of flower (including pre-rolls), or
- Up to 12 grams of concentrate (vapes, wax, shatter, rosin), or
- Cannabis products with up to 750 mg of THC (edibles, drinks, tinctures)
Possessing more than 1.5 ounces but no more than 2.5 ounces is a civil offense with a fine of up to $250. More than 2.5 ounces is a criminal misdemeanor. Medical patients can possess whatever their written certification allows, even when that’s more than the personal use amount. Adults can also share up to the personal use amount with another adult, with no money involved.
Can you grow your own?
Yes, a little. Adults 21 and older can grow up to 2 plants per household, at home and out of public view. That’s per household, not per person, so roommates have to share the limit. Registered medical patients 21 and older can grow up to 4 plants total. Breaking the home-grow rules is a misdemeanor, with up to 3 years in jail, a $5,000 fine, or both.
Setting up a legal grow? Start with how many plants you can grow in Maryland, then see our beginner guides to LED grow lights, grow tents and leaf trimmers.
Where can you smoke?
Private property, with the owner’s permission. Using cannabis in public places, including streets, sidewalks, parks, businesses open to the public and inside any vehicle, is a civil offense with a fine. Landlords can ban smoking in rental units. Licensed on-site consumption lounges have been authorized under Maryland law, but check the MCA site for what’s actually open.
Can you drive after using?
No. Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in Maryland, and there’s no per se THC number. Officers rely on observed impairment and drug recognition evaluations. Using or smoking cannabis in a vehicle is prohibited, even for passengers. Keep products sealed and in the trunk if you can.
Can you take it out of state?
No. Crossing state lines with cannabis is a federal crime, even into neighboring places where it’s legal, like Delaware or Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania still prosecutes recreational possession. Buy it in Maryland and keep it in Maryland.
Can your employer fire you?
Yes, in most cases. Maryland doesn’t protect workers who use cannabis off duty, and bills to add protections haven’t passed. Employers can test, refuse to hire and discipline. Federal employees and contractors, who are common in Maryland, follow strict federal drug rules.
Penalties, briefly
- Over 1.5 oz up to 2.5 oz: civil offense, fine up to $250
- Over 2.5 oz: misdemeanor (up to 6 months in jail and $1,000)
- Public use: civil fine
- Under 21: civil penalties and possible education programs
- Selling without a license: criminal charges, up to felonies for large amounts
Maryland also made it illegal for police to search someone based on the smell of cannabis alone.
Browse every state in our state marijuana law hub.
Maryland marijuana law FAQ
How much weed can you have in Maryland?
Adults 21 and older in Maryland can possess up to 1.5 ounces of flower, 12 grams of concentrate or cannabis products containing up to 750 mg of THC. Having more than 1.5 ounces but no more than 2.5 ounces is a civil offense with a fine of up to $250.
Can you grow weed in Maryland?
Yes. Adults 21 and older can grow up to 2 cannabis plants per household, out of public view. Registered medical patients can grow up to 4 plants.
Can out-of-state visitors buy weed in Maryland?
Yes. Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID can buy adult-use cannabis at a licensed Maryland dispensary, up to the personal use amount per day. Taking it out of Maryland is illegal.
What is the cannabis sales tax in Maryland?
Maryland charges a 12% sales and use tax on adult-use cannabis. The rate took effect July 1, 2025, up from 9%. Registered medical patients don’t pay sales tax on medical purchases.
Can you smoke weed in public in Maryland?
No. Using cannabis in public places, including streets, parks and vehicles, is a civil offense with a fine in Maryland. Use is allowed on private property with the owner’s permission.
