BALTIMORE — Question four on the Maryland ballot passed easily, which means Marylanders 21 years and older can expect to use legally, carry and grow recreational marijuana beginning July 1, 2023.
The Associated Press called the contest with 65.4% for and 34.6% against, with about 38% of the vote counted. Maryland became the 20th state in the nation to legalize recreational cannabis. The state legalized medical marijuana in 2014.
Within the measure, provisions explain what is legal when the law is enacted. The provisions come from the Cannabis Reform Act (HB837), passed in April during the 2022 General Assembly.
The provisions include:
- Legalization of cannabis up to 1.5 ounces.
- A civil fine for possession of 1.5 to 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Above 2.5 ounces is a criminal offense.
- The release of any person in jail or a detention center solely for possession of cannabis on Jan. 1.
- Automatic expungement of previous convictions for possession of cannabis.
- Limit of two cannabis plants per person.
- Prohibition of smoking cannabis, subject to the Clean Air Act, indoors and outside in public areas.
- A focus on keeping cannabis out of the hands of children.
Del. Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City, chair of the…
