Weed dispensaries in Rockville, MD

Cannabis Dispensaries in Rockville, Maryland

Sitting directly between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Rockville, Maryland doesn't have much of its own history with cannabis. But with medical marijuana very recently legalized, here’s what to know about the local cannabis laws and regulations.

Cannabis Laws to Know in Rockville

As of January 2021, Maryland only permits the sale of cannabis products to card-holding medical patients. Thus, those interested in visiting a Rockville dispensary or using cannabis products in Maryland must qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program and receive a valid medical marijuana license.

Fortunately, Maryland lawmakers are already looking to legalize recreational cannabis across the state. Though it is impossible to say with certainty when Rockville will gain a retail-style dispensary, legalization efforts could succeed in 2021, opening the door for adult-use cannabis in 2022 and beyond. Though this is not the first attempt Marylanders have made to legalize cannabis, it is the first likely to be successful.

In the meantime, Maryland has decriminalized cannabis to some degree. Those who cannot prove that cannabis is medically necessary face only a $100 fine for possessing an ounce of cannabis or less. However, cultivation is restricted only to state-approved growers, so no home-growing is allowed.

Medical Marijuana

Maryland’s medical marijuana program is one of the youngest in the country, established in 2013 and only operational in 2017. Initially, the program was designed so that medical cardholders could acquire cannabis only through academic medical centers, but beginning in 2016, dispensaries in Rockville, Maryland and other cities were granted state licenses to operate.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Rockville

Maryland’s medical marijuana program is managed at the state level, so Rockville residents need to apply to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) to legally obtain and use cannabis. After registering with the MMCC — which requires creating a website account and providing proof of identification and residency — patients must visit a health care provider and obtain written certification that cannabis is medically necessary. In Maryland, patients may obtain certification from almost any provider, from physicians and nurse practitioners to dentists and midwives. Patients must suffer from a qualifying health condition to receive certification.

After paying $50, patients can print a temporary cannabis card to use as they wait for their application to be processed and approved.

Where Is It Legal to Consume Cannabis in Rockville?

Maryland laws about cannabis consumption remain strict. Medical users can only consume on private property, with the permission of the landowner. What’s more, it is illegal to use cannabis in a vehicle, whether it’s stationary or moving and whether you’re a driver or passenger. It is uncommon for a dispensary in Rockville, MD to permit consumption on their premises, so you should ask before smoking, vaping, or otherwise using on dispensary grounds. 

Though consumption is limited to private spaces, you can legally transport up to an ounce of cannabis anywhere in the state except for on federal property, where you are subject to federal cannabis laws.

How to Buy Cannabis in Rockville

Visiting a Rockville dispensary is straightforward once you have a valid MMCC card in hand. Most medical dispensaries operate like pharmacies, serving customers one-by-one to ensure each patient’s health concerns are properly addressed. While dispensaries are open — typically from around 8AM to 8PM — you can also order cannabis for curbside pickup and home delivery.

How Much Does Cannabis Cost in Rockville?

The average price of 1 gram of cannabis from a licensed dispensary is about $10, but rare or especially high-quality strains can go for up to $20 per gram or higher. Concentrates tend to cost more. Edibles are not available for sale in dispensaries in Rockville.

Cannabis Taxes in Rockville

Because medical marijuana is considered medicine, it is not subject to any taxes in Maryland.