Highlights: Cannabis and Alcohol Policy Updates
Raimee Eck, PhD, MPH, MPAS, CPH, Chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco, & Cannabis Network of the Maryland Public Health Association, provided an update of alcohol bills.
- A bill passed that allows for alcohol delivery by third parties such as Door Dash. The delivery person must be at least 21 and trained in alcohol awareness. Jurisdictions can opt in or out of this. There was interest in asking the presidents to weigh in if they want their jurisdiction to opt out. The bill goes into effect July 1. (SB456/HB808)
- There is also an opportunity to develop evidence-based curricula for these retailers.
- A “cocktails to-go” bill failed that would have allowed for the sale of alcohol from restaurants for off-premise consumption.
- A bill that would have allowed grocery stores to sell alcohol failed.
Mathew Swinburne, JD, Director of the Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy-Cannabis, based at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, provided an update of cannabis bills.
- A bill that would have allowed outdoor advertising of cannabis failed in committee. Mat testified in opposition to it and 11 members of the MD Collaborative Governance Council submitted informational testimony citing research on the impact of cannabis billboards on youth. [SB399]
- Revisions to the Clean Indoor Air Act passed. [SB244/HB238]
- The Act already covered the smoking of tobacco, cannabis and hemp.
- This bill adds vaping to the prohibited conduct. On-site consumption sites are not covered by the vaping prohibition. However, local governments have some authority to prohibit/restrict the types of products used.
- Cannabis Reform Act Alterations passed. [HB253]
- Prohibits cannabis businesses from sponsoring events unless at least 85% of audience is expected to be adults;
- Creates a new license category – nursery license. This licensee can sell seeds/seedlings to those in the business.
- Restricts content of signs placed on the outside of a cannabis business – can only be used to identify the business to the public (not products).
- A bill restricting local zoning authority related to cannabis businesses passed. [HB805]
- Creates a provision allowing community members to challenge the renewal of a cannabis business’ license if it has engaged in bad behavior. When ten people sign a petition and submit it to the MD Cannabis Administration, it triggers a hearing, held before the license is renewed. Those signing must be within 1000 feet of the business.
- Local governments cannot set a zoning requirement that is more restrictive than the state standard.
- Local governments can require dispensaries be located up to ½ mile away from each other to avoid clustering.
- A bill failed that would have prohibited employers from taking adverse employment actions against an employee for their legal cannabis use outside of work hours. This bill is likely to be introduced again. [SB513/HB525
Highlights: Cannabis and Alcohol Policy Updates
Raimee Eck, PhD, MPH, MPAS, CPH, Chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco, & Cannabis Network of the Maryland Public Health Association, provided an update of alcohol bills.
- A bill passed that allows for alcohol delivery by third parties such as Door Dash. The delivery person must be at least 21 and trained in alcohol awareness. Jurisdictions can opt in or out of this. There was interest in asking the presidents to weigh in if they want their jurisdiction to opt out. The bill goes into effect July 1. (SB456/HB808)
- There is also an opportunity to develop evidence-based curricula for these retailers.
- A “cocktails to-go” bill failed that would have allowed for the sale of alcohol from restaurants for off-premise consumption.
- A bill that would have allowed grocery stores to sell alcohol failed.
Mathew Swinburne, JD, Director of the Legal Resource Center for Public Health Policy-Cannabis, based at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, provided an update of cannabis bills.
- A bill that would have allowed outdoor advertising of cannabis failed in committee. Mat testified in opposition to it and 11 members of the MD Collaborative Governance Council submitted informational testimony citing research on the impact of cannabis billboards on youth. [SB399]
- Revisions to the Clean Indoor Air Act passed. [SB244/HB238]
- The Act already covered the smoking of tobacco, cannabis and hemp.
- This bill adds vaping to the prohibited conduct. On-site consumption sites are not covered by the vaping prohibition. However, local governments have some authority to prohibit/restrict the types of products used.
- Cannabis Reform Act Alterations passed. [HB253]
- Prohibits cannabis businesses from sponsoring events unless at least 85% of audience is expected to be adults;
- Creates a new license category – nursery license. This licensee can sell seeds/seedlings to those in the business.
- Restricts content of signs placed on the outside of a cannabis business – can only be used to identify the business to the public (not products).
- A bill restricting local zoning authority related to cannabis businesses passed. [HB805]
- Creates a provision allowing community members to challenge the renewal of a cannabis business’ license if it has engaged in bad behavior. When ten people sign a petition and submit it to the MD Cannabis Administration, it triggers a hearing, held before the license is renewed. Those signing must be within 1000 feet of the business.
- Local governments cannot set a zoning requirement that is more restrictive than the state standard.
- Local governments can require dispensaries be located up to ½ mile away from each other to avoid clustering.
- A bill failed that would have prohibited employers from taking adverse employment actions against an employee for their legal cannabis use outside of work hours. This bill is likely to be introduced again. [SB513/HB525