Maryland Moves Closer To Putting Adult-Use On Its 2022 Ballot

Cannabis advocates in Maryland took another step forward on Monday in their goal to put a recreational marijuana legalization proposal on the 2022 ballot.

A pair of bills sponsored by Democrat Rep. Luke Clippinger were introduced to officially define the ballot question as an initiative for adults aged 21 and older to legally purchase cannabis, and to allow those people to buy up to 1.5 ounces of the plant from state licensed dispensaries. Under Clippinger’s pair of bills, possession of less than 2.5 ounces would also be decriminalized and people convicted of previous cannabis possession crimes for quantities equal or less than the new legal limit would have those violations expunged from their records.

The second of the two bills, House Bill 837, would provide the legal framework for a state Cannabis Business Assistance Fund, which would help fund marijuana enterprises owned by minorities and women.

Under Clippinger’s bills, if adult-use is passed by voters, possession of the plant would not be legal until July 1, 2023 and home cultivation would not be allowed at all. However, a spokeswoman for Clippinger said the bills are “very likely” to be amended in the coming days.

Another pair of adult-use bills were also recently introduced in Maryland’s Senate. Senate Bill 833, sponsored by Democrat Sen. Brian Feldman, is similar to Clippinger’s House Bill 1 in that it’d put adult use on the ballot and, if passed by voters, would legalize possession starting July 1, 2023. But Feldman’s proposal would also allow adults 21 and older to grow up to four plants at home, with a maximum of eight plants per residence.

None of the marijuana bills in Maryland have been passed out of committee yet, but the Democrat-controlled legislature could have a proposal sent to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk by next month. Hogan is term-limited and will not be up for reelection in this year’s gubernatorial race, meaning setting the framework for the adult-use program will be in the hands of a new governor next year, should voters approve legalization on this year’s ballot.

An October poll of 700 Maryland adults found 60 percent were in favor of legalizing adult-use and 33 percent were opposed. Maryland voters approved medical cannabis in 2012 and could join 18 other states that already allow recreational cannabis.