Maryland residents voted overwhelmingly Nov. 8, 2022, in favor of amending the state’s constitution to permit the sale of adult-use cannabis to individuals over the age of 21.

Sales may begin on or after July 1, 2023.

The passage of the referendum is a further reflection of the tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurs to get in on the ground floor of a nascent industry and, at the same time, for the state to generate needed revenue. It also reflects the growing trend toward cannabis reform at the state level throughout the United States, particularly in the Northeast with the recent adopting of adult-use programs in New York and New Jersey.

Although the formal legislation has to be adopted, businesses should expect to confront issues like those seen in other states, including the co-location of medical and adult-use facilities, whether there will be a limit on the number of licenses issued, and how the application and approval process to become an adult-use business will happen. It will likely be another 12 to 18 months before the program is fully operational because the state must initiate an application process and businesses will need time to submit. In the meantime, it is important for entrepreneurs to to set up their companies, raise the necessary capital to fund their operations and find locations in their communities that will be supportive of adult use marijuana, among other things.

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