Maryland lawmakers took another step toward establishing a regulated, adult-use marijuana market on Friday, holding a hearing on a reform proposal months after voters approved legalization at the ballot last year.
The House Economic Matters Committee discussed the legislation from Dels. C. T. Wilson (D) and Vanessa Atterbeary (D), taking testimony from dozens of people as members raised questions about various provisions.
The measure is meant to get the state prepared to regulate cannabis commerce as the state law legalizing possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana for adults takes effect on July 1.
Wilson, who chairs the committee, said in his opening remarks that he’s “not here to create a cash cow for the state or produce a marketplace for intoxicants.”
Rather, he said that lawmakers are trying to “regulate this so we can have a safe usage and basically get rid of the black market through proper oversight” and “keep Marylanders safe if they choose to partake in the substance.”
Here’s what HB 556 would accomplish:
Cannabis would be taxed at six percent for the first fiscal year starting this summer. It would increase by one percent each year until 2028, maxing out at
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