Cannabis in Maryland
Maryland Cannabis Law FAQs • Infographic • Cannabis Law on Campus • Tik Tok Video Script • Campus Policies • Campus Cannibis Sanctions
Maryland Cannabis Law FAQs
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1. What is the new cannabis law and when will it take effect?
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.
2. What will happen as a result of this new law at the upcoming Maryland General Assembly?
In 2023, the Maryland General Assembly will consider legislation related to the licensing, regulation, and enforcement of the new law.
3. Can students use cannabis on campus or at campus activities now or after July, 2023?
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”.
4. What does the new Maryland cannabis law mean to students under 21?
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
5. Will selling cannabis become legal?
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.
6. Will it be legal to smoke cannabis in public?
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.
7. What impact does this new law have on my campus policies?
- 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.
8. What should I tell my campus in response to this law?
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.
9. What effect does cannabis have on students?
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.
MD Cannabis Law Infographic
Maryland’s New Cannabis Law and Medical Marijuana on Campus
Tik Tok Video Script
Cast:
- Student A who thinks that under Maryland’s new cannabis law anyone can use cannabis now anywhere they want.
- Student B who knows the law, including where students can and cannot use cannabis under Maryland’s new law.
- Both students are played by the same person wearing different clothes. In each scene, student A is sitting down to the left, while Student B is standing to the right.
Scene 1
Student A is sitting down, relaxing in their dorm room, reading something on his phone, and talking to Student B.
Student A: Woooh! This is awesome! Weed is legal in Maryland now. I can finally get high here! C’mon, let’s celebrate with a little something right now! [Gives B a knowing look and goes to pull something out of his backpack or pocket.]
Student B: (Appalled) What are you doing?? You can’t do that here. You can’t even have that here! It’s against the law!
A: Relax! Didn’t you hear? There was a referendum in November and the people voted to make sensi legal here now. I’m stoked!
B: Actually, the law doesn’t take effect until July 1st 2023. And it doesn’t mean anything on campus! [School name] has to follow the federal law and doesn’t allow you to use or even have weed here. Get it out of your dorm room!
A: Ugh!! Are you kidding me? I thought this was cool here now. Alright, alright, I’m taking it out of here. I’m so bummed!
Fast Forward. After July 1, 2023…
Scene 2
Student A is sitting down in the bleachers/stadium or in the campus setting where students are most likely to use cannabis on your campus, for example in the space where tailgating takes place, preparing for tailgating.
A: Hey! You ready for the game? Let’s get high – I mean “ready” together with a little help from our friend! [Reaches into his same backpack or pocket.]
B: Are you kidding me? I already told you, you can’t do that here!
A: But I’m not in my dorm room!
B: Weed isn’t allowed anywhere on campus! You cannot have in it your room, you cannot have it outside either! As long as you’re on campus, you cannot have it anywhere!
A: Holy shit! Are you kidding me?
B: Shakes their head adamantly.
A: [Takes their hand out of their pocket or jacket and gives B a look of frustration.]
Scene 3
Student A is hanging out in a fraternity or sorority house off campus, if the university has off-campus Greek housing. Otherwise, choose another off-campus location affiliated with the university such as other off-campus housing owned by the university.
A: Hey hey hey! How’s it going? At long last! We’re off campus! Nobody saying we can’t go for it here, am I right? [Reaches into their same pocket or backpack.]
B: No, no, no! This house is the [name of university]’s chapter house! [Or “owned by name of university” or “affiliated with name of university”]. It’s just the same as being on campus! You cannot have it in your room, you cannot have it on the quad, you cannot have it in the frat. As long as you’re in university affiliated places or activities, even off campus, you cannot have it anywhere!
A: Glares at B and walks away.
Scene 4
Student A is lying on a sofa in a private home off campus.
A: Here we go. Joe’s house! I’m not in a dorm! I’m not on campus! I’m not in a frat! I know you can’t tell me I’m not allowed to light up here! Are you??
B: Actually, weed only became legal on July 1 2023 for adults 21 and older and you’re not 21 yet, so… it’s still illegal for you! Until you’re 21, you cannot have it anywhere!!
A: Gives the camera a wide-eyed look of incredulity and slumps back in his chair. Get me an energy drink?
Model Campus Cannabis Policies
EDGAR Requirements
- Ban unlawful use, possession, and distribution of cannabis.
- No one may possess, consume, or distribute cannabis on campus. This ban is complete. It applies to public places such as the stadium as well as private spaces such as dorm rooms.
- No one may use, possess, or distribute cannabi
- Describe health risks https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
- Describe alcohol/drug counseling services available to students
- Clearly enumerate sanctions for cannabis policy violations
Most Effective Policies
- Prohibition of cannabis at student organization member recruitment events.
- No one may possess or consume cannabis at recruitment events for student groups.
- Explicit mention of campus patrolling off-campus neighborhoods regularly.
- We will patrol off-campus neighborhoods to help protect the health and safety of our students and their neighbors.
- Explicit mention that there will be campus consequences for off-campus violations.
- We will impose sanctions for off-campus violations of the student code of conduct.
- Prohibition of sponsorship by cannabis manufacturers or cannabis dispensaries.
- We do not allow cannabis dispensaries or manufacturers to sponsor any of our clubs, teams, or events. This applies off campus as well as on campus.
- Prohibition of cannabis delivery to campus.
- No one may have cannabis delivered to campus.
- Prohibition of campus advertising for cannabis/cannabis outlets.
- We do not allow ads for cannabis or cannabis outlets on campus.
- Prohibition of picturing/mentioning cannabis in flyers for events on campus.
- We do not allow flyers for campus events that picture or mention cannabis.
- Explicit mention that college receives names of students cited or arrested off-campus from local police.
- We receive names of students cited or arrested off campus from local police.
Somewhat Effective Policies
- Prohibition of cannabis consumption in private dorm rooms.
- Prohibition of cannabis consumption in common rooms in residence halls.
- Optional substance-free residence halls/floors.
- Explicit mention of campus security’s ability to patrol off-campus neighborhoods.
- We will patrol off-campus neighborhoods to help protect the health and safety of our students and their neighbors.
- Restriction on use of student funds for purchase of cannabis.
- Explicit mention that some or all campus cannabis restrictions extend off-campus.
Model Campus Cannabis Sanctions
EDGAR Requirements
- Ban unlawful use, possession, and distribution of cannabis.
- No one may possess, consume, or distribute cannabis on campus. This ban is complete. It applies to public places such as the stadium as well as private spaces such as dorm rooms.
- No one may use, possess, or distribute cannabi
- Describe health risks https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
- Describe alcohol/drug counseling services available to students
- Clearly enumerate sanctions for cannabis policy violations
Most Effective Policies
- Prohibition of cannabis at student organization member recruitment events.
- No one may possess or consume cannabis at recruitment events for student groups.
- Explicit mention of campus patrolling off-campus neighborhoods regularly.
- We will patrol off-campus neighborhoods to help protect the health and safety of our students and their neighbors.
- Explicit mention that there will be campus consequences for off-campus violations.
- We will impose sanctions for off-campus violations of the student code of conduct.
- Prohibition of sponsorship by cannabis manufacturers or cannabis dispensaries.
- We do not allow cannabis dispensaries or manufacturers to sponsor any of our clubs, teams, or events. This applies off campus as well as on campus.
- Prohibition of cannabis delivery to campus.
- No one may have cannabis delivered to campus.
- Prohibition of campus advertising for cannabis/cannabis outlets.
- We do not allow ads for cannabis or cannabis outlets on campus.
- Prohibition of picturing/mentioning cannabis in flyers for events on campus.
- We do not allow flyers for campus events that picture or mention cannabis.
- Explicit mention that college receives names of students cited or arrested off-campus from local police.
- We receive names of students cited or arrested off campus from local police.
Somewhat Effective Policies
- Prohibition of cannabis consumption in private dorm rooms.
- Prohibition of cannabis consumption in common rooms in residence halls.
- Optional substance-free residence halls/floors.
- Explicit mention of campus security’s ability to patrol off-campus neighborhoods.
- We will patrol off-campus neighborhoods to help protect the health and safety of our students and their neighbors.
- Restriction on use of student funds for purchase of cannabis.
- Explicit mention that some or all campus cannabis restrictions extend off-campus.
Model Campus Cannabis Sanctions
Consequences
Most Effective
- Parental notification.
- We will let parents or guardians know the first time a student breaks a cannabis policy. Dismissal from housing.
- Student organization probation.
- We will put a student group on probation the first time it violates a cannabis policy.
- Loss of student organization status.
- A student group will lose its student group status the second time it violates an alcohol policy.
- Treatment.
Somewhat Effective
- Fine
- Community service
- Alcohol evaluation/screening
- Individual probation
- Individual suspension
- Expulsion