$10.4M Of Cannabis Sold In MD First Weekend Of Recreational Marijuana

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland companies sold $10.4 million of cannabis the first week state law allowed recreational marijuana sales, a state report said.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration, which oversee the fledgling industry, shared statistics from the first week of sales. As of July 1, adults 21 and older in Maryland are allowed to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries for recreational use.

Before the law was enacted, only medicinal use of cannabis was allowed.

Here's the first batch of sales totals from the agency:

Friday-Sunday of July 4th weekend

• 2022 Total retail sales (medical-only): $3,985,527
• 2023 Total retail sales (medical and adult-use): $10,429,736

Saturday, July 1

• Total retail sales (medical and adult-use): $4,518,377
• Total medical sales: $959,430
• Total adult-use sales: $3,558,947

The state has a list of the dispensaries in Maryland that are selling recreational marijuana.

On May 3, Gov. Wes Moore signed into law the Cannabis Reform Act, making Maryland the 25th state or U.S. territory to legalize adult-use cannabis.

“In the past, cannabis policy has been used as a cudgel to oppress, jail, and discriminate against our fellow citizens, especially people of color; and the war on drugs didn’t just fail, it made us weaker as a nation,” Moore said, in May. “But now, we are writing a new chapter in the story of cannabis in America—a chapter focused on equity and economic growth. It’s time we moved away from this false choice that says we must pick an economy that is equitable or an economy that is growing—we can, and we will, do both.”

The new law also established the Office of Social Equity, aimed at promoting inclusion, accountability and fairness for businesses to participate in the adult-use cannabis market.

Some businesses in Maryland have already stepped up to take advantage of the new law and cannabis' new status. One of those companies is Upling LLC, which was started by Colin Fraser, a tech entrepreneur from Silver Spring.

"We're a small, minority business enterprise," he said. "We're the first and only cannabis delivery service that is an MBE, and we're really proud of that."

Related:Legal Marijuana In Maryland Starts July 1, Businesses Gear Up

What To Know About Maryland's Cannabis Law

The People's Law Library of Maryland. summarized the new rules in the state.

Possession

People 21 years and older can possess the following amounts starting July 1:

• Up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis (or)
• Up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis (or)
• Cannabis products containing up to 750 milligrams of delta-9-THC (or)
• Up to two cannabis plants

Growing

For those looking to grow their own, Maryland law said adults will be allowed to grow up to two plants that are out of public view and secured so they are not accessible by unauthorized individuals or those under the age of 21.

Sharing

Adults can share cannabis with friends, as long as it is not transactional, Maryland law said.

"The amount of cannabis shared must not exceed the amount defined as personal use and no money can be exchanged for the cannabis," Maryland law said. "Transfer of amounts in excess of the Personal Use amount or accepting payment for transferred amounts may qualify as possession with the intent to distribute."

Selling

Although you can possess, grow and share certain amounts of cannabis, Maryland law says you cannot sell it without the proper licensing.According to Maryland law, selling without a license is classified as a criminal misdemeanor and punishable by up to three years in prison.

Using

Maryland's new law has also prohibited specific locations from smoking cannabis, and public places is one of them.

Smoking cannabis in a public place is considered a civil offense and could be penalized by up to a $50 fine for a first offense, Maryland law said. Drivers smoking in a vehicle is also prohibited.

Expungement

For those looking to get a previous marijuana possession charge expunged, you are in luck. Although the expungement can happen, Maryland law says it is not automatic.

"The new law allows individuals convicted of marijuana possession to request an expungement after the successful completion of the sentence," Maryland law said.