Maryland Cannabis License Guidelines

Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission

Licensing and Enforcement Criteria

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) develops policies, procedures, and regulations to implement programs that ensure medical cannabis is available to qualifying patients in a safe and effective manner. The Commission oversees all licensing, registration, inspection, and testing measures pertaining to Maryland’s medical cannabis program and provides relevant program information to patients, physicians, growers, dispensaries, processors, testing laboratories and caregivers.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration is the new agency created to help bring adult-use cannabis to the existing medical dispensaries. The MCA has converted licenses for 95 medical marijuana dispensaries to help serve the recreational adult cannabis users in the wonderful state of Maryland.

The Commission shall license medical cannabis growers that meet all requirements established by the Commission to operate in the State to provide cannabis to:

  • Processors licensed by the Commission under this subtitle;
  • Dispensaries licensed by the Commission under this subtitle; and
  • Independent testing laboratories registered with the Commission under this subtitle.

Beginning December 1, 2024, the Commission may report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number of licenses necessary to meet the demand for medical cannabis by qualifying patients and caregivers issued identification cards under this subtitle in an affordable, accessible, secure, and efficient manner.

Marylanders have voted and adult-use cannabis is now available as of July 1, 2023. Adults 21 or older may possess and consume up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg THC. This amount is known as the “personal use amount.”

 

Maryland Cannabis Law & Compliance

Several laws and ordinances regulate the Maryland medical cannabis industry, as well as the many different steps in the supply chain. These laws range over dispositions for cultivators, manufacturers, distributors and retail dispensaries. The most recent news can be found on these websites:

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FAQs

How will growers be licensed?

The Commission has announced the names of the 15 Pre-approved Growers, however, no actual final licenses to grow medical cannabis have been issued.​ The pre-approved entities are currently working through Stage Two of the licensing process, which includes extensive background investigations and regulatory requirements. The Commissioners will vote for licensure in a public meeting once compliance with the regulatory requirements is complete.

For my growing facility, I have located a potential property that is zoned for agricultural production. Is that satisfactory to the Commission?

The Commission will rely upon the zoning and planning approval issued by the local jurisdiction. The local jurisdiction will determine whether a zoning designation that permits agricultural production includes production of medical cannabis. The applicant should take steps to assure that the local jurisdiction has interpreted its zoning code to mean that an agricultural production zoning designation includes production of medical cannabis. ​

Can a licensed grower also become a processor and a dispenser (i.e. vertically-integrated) medical cannabis operation?

Yes, parties or entities who wish to operate a growing and processing facility, as well as a dispensary, must submit separate license applications for each facility.  The Commission may award separate licenses for each operation.​

Will independent testing laboratories have a mobile unit?

No; the facility, equipment, and staff required to become an accredited testing facility will require a permanent location.​

Is consumption of medical cannabis allowed at the premises of a license dispensary?

No; consumption on the premises is not allowed. The regulations require patients to sign a statement that they understand that they are not immune from any prohibition on smoking cannabis in a public place or in a motor vehicle, or on private property where it is prohibited by the property owner. Dispensary operators who violate the regulations or medical cannabis law are subject to fine and the suspension or revocation of their license.

Maryland Cannabis License Types

Cannabis Grower

A grower’s license entitles an entity licensed under MMCC to: 

  • Cultivates or packages medical cannabis; and 
  • Is authorized by the Commission to provide cannabis to a processor, dispensary, or independent testing laboratory.

An entity licensed to grow medical cannabis under this section may provide cannabis only to: 

  • Processors licensed by the Commission; 
  • Dispensaries licensed by the Commission; 
  • Qualified patients; 
  • Caregivers; 
  • Independent testing laboratories registered with the Commission under this subtitle; and 
  • Academic research representatives purchasing medical cannabis accredited to do so.

Dispensary

The MMCC shall allow a person to have an ownership interest in or control of, including the power to manage and operate, up to four dispensaries.

  • A dispensary license is valid for 6 years on initial licensure.
  • A dispensary license is valid for 4 years on renewal.

The Commission shall allow a dispensary licensed under the MMCC or a dispensary agent registered under the MMCC to acquire, possess, transfer, transport, sell, distribute, or dispense edible cannabis products for use by a qualifying patient, a caregiver, or an academic research representative purchasing medical cannabis.

Medical Cannabis Processor

A person may not have an ownership interest in or control of, including the power to manage and operate, more than one processor.

  • A processor license is valid for 6 years on initial licensure.
  • A processor license is valid for 4 years on renewal.

The Commission shall allow a processor licensed under MMCC or a processor agent registered under § 13–3310 to acquire, possess, process, package, label, transfer, transport, sell, and distribute to a dispensary, edible cannabis products for use by a qualifying patient, a caregiver, or an academic research representative purchasing medical cannabis.

Independent Testing Lab

Independent Testing Lab Registration Forms can be found here and a PDF of the MMCC Technical Authority here.

Currently there are three registered testing labs and two that are provisional. Let CanojaVerify give you the security and peace of mind that come with knowing you are dealing with a state-verified and licensed business.

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