Starting July 1, 2023, it will be legal for adults 21 years of age and older in Maryland to possess less than 1.5 ounces of cannabis for recreational use.

In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly will consider legislation related to the licensing, regulation, and enforcement of the new law.

No. Students may not use or consume cannabis on campus or at any places or activities affiliated with the university. This will not change when the new Maryland law takes effect July 1, 2023.

The Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act requires all colleges and universities receiving federal funds to adopt and implement programs that include:

“standards of conduct that clearly prohibit, at a minimum, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property or as part of any of its activities”.

The new law that will take effect July 1, 2023 applies only to adults 21 years of age and older. Cannabis use or possession will remain illegal for anyone under 21. If anyone under 21 is found in possession of less than 1.5 ounces of cannabis, they will be subject to a fine of $100. The court may order them to attend a drug education program, refer them to an assessment for substance use disorder, and refer them to substance abuse treatment, if necessary.

If anyone under 21 is in possession of more than 1.5 but less than 2.5 ounces of cannabis, penalties will include:

• 1st offense: Imprisonment of up to 1 year and fine of up to $5,000
• 2nd or 3rd  offense: Imprisonment of up to 18 months and fine of up to $5,000
• 4th offense: Imprisonment of up to 2 years and fine of up to $5,000

No. Selling cannabis without a license will remain a crime under the new law, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

No. Under the new law, it will still be illegal to smoke cannabis in public. This includes any place where the public or part of the public has access, such as streets, bars, shops, public buildings, public parks, sports arena, theaters, etc. Anyone caught smoking cannabis in a public place will be fined $250 for a first offense and $500 for a second or subsequent offense.

• Although cannabis will continue to be banned on campus when the new state law takes effect, we recommend schools enhance their campus policies to prepare for the new cannabis landscape in Maryland. This can include adopting policies that clarify all the locations and instances where cannabis is banned (e.g., in the stadium and at campus-affiliated off-campus events and activities), and adopting new policies such as banning advertising on campus for cannabis outlets or manufacturers.
• Enforcement of the campus policies is also critical. Diligent enforcement, along with appropriate sanctions for policy violations, sends a clear message to students that cannabis use is not consistent with the mission of higher education. It also helps to identify students at risk of dependence or addiction so they can receive intervention and treatment as needed.
• The Maryland Collaborative is currently providing policy guidance to our member schools. Staff are also available for individual technical assistance upon request. Please contact Dr. Malinda Kennedy at malinda@umd.edu to arrange trainings or technical assistance.

We recommend you share this information immediately with all members of your campus community. If you would like additional guidance, please send an email to Dr. Amelia Arria at aarria@umd.edu. Our goal is to be your go-to resource on this issue. We will be providing you with additional information in the near future.

Cannabis use is associated with negative impacts on academic performance and raises the risk of addiction as well as physical and mental health problems. Regular cannabis use can negatively affect the parts of the brain involved in learning and memory. More information can be found on the College Parents Matter website: https://www.collegeparentsmatter.org/cannabis.html.