Cannabis in Maryland
Adult-use cannabis was legalized via voter action in in 2022.
A medical cannabis program was legalized by legislation in 2014.
Sen. Benjamin Cardin - D
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Signed a letter calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to respect state marijuana laws. (2018)
- A spokesperson for Sen. Cardin told VICE: “Senator Cardin supports Maryland’s medical marijuana law. He believes decisions on marijuana should be up to the states.” (2018)
Sen. Chris Van Hollen Jr. - D
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Quote: “We should not be using federal law enforcement resources to lock people up for the use of marijuana. In fact, no one should be jailed for marijuana use. I strongly oppose AG Sessions’ decision yesterday.” (2018)
- Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy, end the federal prohibition of CBD, and allow VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal.
Rep. Andy Harris (MD-1) - R
Does Not Support Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Co-sponsored The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2021)
- Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
- Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
- Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-Sponsored the Safe Banking Act of 2023, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)
Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-3) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)
Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-4) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- When asked if he supported legalizing marijuana, Ivey replied: “Yes. Federal laws concerning marijuana have not kept pace with the rapid changes occurring on the state level across the country. The people of the United States have made their decision on the legalization of cannabis, and it is time for Congress and federal laws to acknowledge that reality and catch up. It is necessary that Congress recognize reality and create a logical and rational legal framework for marijuana laws. As of this past year, all but four states have some form of legal cannabis ranging from medical cannabis to recreational adult-use cannabis. But currently there is confusion, contradiction, and inconsistency between federal and state laws. Cannabis use is still against federal law; it is still classified as a dangerous Schedule One illegal drug… Absurdly, marijuana is still classified as Schedule One, along with heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and peyote. As a result of this classification, patients who legally use cannabis for medical reasons according to state law are in violation of federal law, as are legal recreational users. Also, if a legal state licensed cannabis dealer uses a bank for their business, it is a violation of federal law. This is all ridiculous and absurd, and needs to change as soon as possible.” (2022)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-5) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
- Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)
Rep. David Trone (MD-6) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Cosponsored the Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act, which would allow individuals who have completed their probation for a first-time, low-level drug possession offense to apply for expungement of their conviction. (2021)
- Cosponsored the HOPE Act, which would provide financial assistance to states that expunge non-violent cannabis offenses. (2021)
- Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Rep. Trone’s campaign website reads: “We should treat drug addiction as a public health issue not as a criminal one. And we need to repeal mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenses so that judges can use their discretion to get low-level offenders into treatment programs rather than sending them to prison for decades.” The site also calls for ending the War on Drugs. (2018)
Rep. Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-8) - D
Supports Federal Legalization
- Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
- Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
- Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
- Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
- Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
- Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks
- Co-sponsored the MORE Act of 2023, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
- Sponsored the CURE Act of 2023, which would amend the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to limit the consideration or cannabis use when making a security clearance or employment suitability determination, and for other purposes.
- Quote: “The country had its experience with trying to criminalize alcohol. It didn’t work, and it caused much more severe problems and we know that is precisely the history we’re living through today, again, with marijuana, it needs to be regulated, it needs to be carefully controlled, but we should not be throwing people into prison for any period of time for one day because they smoke marijuana. It makes no sense. We should not be ruining people’s lives over this. I think the country has made its judgment, it’s time for Congress to catch up.” (2022)
- Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
- Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
- Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
- Voted in favor of advancing the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2019)
- Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a 5% tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2019)
- Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
- Cosponsored the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2019, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which would allow banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
- Cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2018, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level and expunge federal cannabis convictions. (2018)
- Cosponsored the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, which would legalize and regulate cannabis at the federal level. (2018)
- Cosponsored the REFER Act of 2018, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state cannabis policy and allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2018)
- Cosponsored the Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2018)
- Cosponsored the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2017, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level. (2017)
- Cosponsored the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with cannabis policy at the state level. (2017)
- Cosponsored the Responsibly Addressing the Marijuana Policy Gap Act of 2017, which would prevent the federal government from interfering with state cannabis policy, allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses, allow VA doctors to prescribe medical cannabis to veterans, and create process for expunging past marijuana convictions. (2017)
- Cosponsored the SAFE Act of 2017, which would allow banks to provide services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2017)
- Cosponsored the Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2017, which would end the federal prohibition of industrial hemp. (2017)
Gov. Wes Moore - D
Supports Adult Use Legalization In Their State
- Quote: “If the state votes [yes] on Question 4, our administration will make sure that it is going to be fair and it is going to be equitable. And that means using this as an opportunity to think clearly about how we are going about the prospects of positioning licenses, how are we thinking about not just the growers and the manufacturers and the paraphernalia providers, but truly using this as an opportunity to help address the wealth gap that exists within our society. But … we cannot talk about the benefits of legalization if we’re also not dealing with the consequences of criminalization. We’ve seen inside communities—particularly Black and Brown communities that have been disproportionately harmed—that we have to focus on things like automatic record expungement for those who have cannabis convictions. We have to focus on things like being able to deal with the pardoning of people who have criminal records for something that is now a burgeoning industry in the state of Maryland.” (2022)
- According to Moore’s campaign website: “Wes will legalize cannabis, expunge the records of anyone convicted of simple possession, and prioritize equitable access to this emerging industry.” (2022)
- Quote: “The pledge that I have as we go into this… Maryland is going to make sure that we have an equitable process in the way that we are going to roll out. Maryland will make sure that the challenges that we had when it came to the medical roll out are going to be addressed.” (2022)
Take Action in Maryland
Register to Vote in Maryland
Your vote can help influence cannabis policy! Register now to make sure your voice is heard.
