Election Results: 2022 Maryland Recreational Cannabis Legalization Initiative

On November 8th, Maryland voted on Question 4, an amendment to the state constitution that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Now, with 28 percent of precincts reporting, The Associated Press projects Question 4 will pass, legalizing cannabis in Maryland.

Here are the key components of Maryland’s recreational cannabis initiative:

  • It will allow residents aged 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of adult-use cannabis.
  • Adults will be able to grow up to two plants for their personal use at home.
  • Adults can gift legal amounts of cannabis to other adults without penalties.
  • It will decriminalize the possession of marijuana of up to 2.5 ounces. The state will expunge all past convictions for the possession of cannabis under this amount, and people currently in jail for possessing under 2.5 ounces of cannabis can appeal for resentencing.

The passing of Question 4 means that cannabis legalization will go into effect in the state of Maryland beginning in July 2023.  It is not yet clear whether Maryland will add additional taxes or regulations to cannabis sales in the future.

See GreenState’s map of cannabis legality by state here: