On July 1, 2025, new laws will take effect in Maryland. The laws will impact cannabis regulation, clean energy, and more. Here's a glimpse at some of the legislative changes. HB12/SB214 prohibits the sale or distribution of cannabis products marketed as having more than 0.5 milligrams of THC per serving, or over 2.5 milligrams of THC per package.
If a person who does not have a cannabis license violates bill law, they may be charged with a citation or found guilty of a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to $5,000.
Maryland's cannabis tax is also increasing from 9 percent to 12 percent starting July 1, which also marks two years since dispensaries began selling adult-use cannabis in 2023.
State lawmakers decided on the tax hike a few months ago during a challenging budget season, which also saw the state raise overall taxes and fees by about $1.6 billion, along with another $1.5 billion in spending cuts.
The tax hike has created concerns among vendors about potential impacts, both on customers and the legal cannabis market.