Recreational Cannabis Use and Possession in Maryland FAQ’s

Beginning October 1, 2023, the State of Maryland has dramatically reduced many of the wait times for criminal record expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More.

Maryland voted to legalize some amounts of cannabis use and possession. Under the enabling legislation, adults 21 and older may possess, use, and grow cannabis. Marijuana is now referred to as cannabis by Maryland laws. Cannabis possession and use became legal on July 1, 2023.

Will past marijuana possession charges be expunged?

Yes, but the expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More is not automatic. The new law allows individuals convicted of marijuana possession (under Criminal Law 5-601) to request an expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More after the successful completion of the sentence. Learn more about expungementRemoving convictions from criminal records. More.

The law also prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search database from displaying case records where marijuana possession (under Criminal Law 5-601) was the only charge.

Read the Law: Md. Code, Criminal Procedure § 10-110 and 10-111

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