A few months after passing recreational cannabis on the 2022 November ballot, Maryland became the 21st state to launch retail sales on July 1, 2023. Now home to loads of unique cannabis dispensaries, over 190 flower strains, and countless other weed products, Maryland has managed to keep its local charm in an industry that multi-state operators increasingly control. According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, more than 65% of dispensaries in the state are still owned by in-state operators.
The abundance of dispensaries and state-specific products, beautiful scenery, and a handful of 420-friendly accommodations give cannabis tourists plenty to enjoy. Below, check out our 420-friendly guide to Maryland.
Cannabis laws and legalization in Maryland
State-licensed dispensaries are the only legal places to buy cannabis in Maryland. Adults 21 years and older can purchase up to 1.5 ounces (42.5 grams) of cannabis flower, up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a combined 750 milligrams of THC per day — and you can only consume the plant at a private residence. As a caveat to the law, recreational buyers can't purchase cannabis concentrates right now, only vapes and edibles.
Other restrictions include:
- At-home cultivation: Growing up to two plants is allowed per household, as long as the plants are secured where children can't reach them and grown out of public sight. State law expands the number of plants for medical cannabis patients to four per household.
- Lounges: The Maryland legislature plans to finalize licensing for cannabis lounges, where consumers can legally smoke the plant at a legal venue, not unlike drinking at a bar. But they won't open until May 2024 at the very earliest.
- Delivery options: Dispensaries can't legally deliver recreational cannabis until July 2024, but a few dozen offer limited medical marijuana delivery to registered patients' private residences. Delivery could open for recreation in the new year, and regulators at the Maryland Cannabis Administration expect dozens of new applicants to begin offering the service. For now, less than 40 of the state's 98 operating dispensaries offer delivery for medical patients.
Where to find the best dispensaries in Maryland
Gold Leaf in Annapolis
Countless dispensaries have aimed to be the “Apple Store” of cannabis, but Gold Leaf fits the bill better than any other. Budtenders dressed in formal all-black clothing accompany individual customers, offering a personalized guide through the store's smorgasbord of flower, concentrates, edibles, and just about any other weed products you can imagine.
Gold Leaf features dozens of high-end, custom-made glass rigs, pipes, and accessories, some of which sell for up to $12,000. A visit to Gold Leaf is an eye-opening experience for cannabis enthusiasts, weed tourists, and new consumers alike. It's located 30 minutes south of Baltimore and about 45 minutes east of Washington DC, by car.
Positive Energy in Ocean City
An inconspicuous 2,500-square-foot cannabis store is in a strip mall on Maryland's east coast near the state's northern border with Delaware. Positive Energy is a hidden gem, and on January 18, it became the area's first cannabis dispensary to open shop. Its mission is to provide its community with “natural medicine in their own backyard.”
Far & Dotter in Lutherville
Photo by: Courtesy of Far & DotterImage lightbox
A 15-minute drive north of Baltimore, Far & Dotter is Maryland's only dispensary to feature a spa. That means access to massages, facials, waxing, and even acupuncture with the help of cannabis-infused lotions and other products. The caveat? Smoking is banned at the spa, per state law, but the topicals flow in abundance. Far and Dotter's dispensary sells mainly Curio products and is fully licensed for medical and recreational sales.
Culta, Kannavis, and Greenhouse Wellness
Maryland-owned and -operated since it opened its flagship dispensary in Baltimore, Culta just added to its empire in June by acquiring the state's first pair of women-owned cannabis companies: Kannavis and Greenhouse Wellness.
The Kannavis purchase includes a 3,800-square-foot dispensary and attached grow house in nearby Frederick, while the Greenhouse Wellness acquisition adds a third dispensary in neighboring Elliott City. Culta is also one of the state's largest growers, with weed sold in more than half of the state's operating dispensaries.
Cookies
The only Cookies store in all of Maryland is in the heart of South Baltimore. The dispensary namesake for the world's most popular cannabis brand endured a brief regulatory hiccup during its lone month as a medical-only dispensary. However, it has since expanded to serve all adult shoppers as a fully licensed retail store.
420-friendly accommodations in Maryland
Laws that limit people from using cannabis outside of private residences have made finding communal places to smoke almost impossible in most legal states. Thankfully, 420-friendly hosts in Maryland and neighboring Washington DC — including a licensed cannabis company and a handful of short-term rental sites like AirBnb, Vrbo, Bud and Breakfast, and hibnb — are helping bridge the gap between the law and what many cannabis consumers are looking for.
Hotels
Photo by: Courtesy of Fingerboard FarmImage lightbox
Weed-friendly hostels and hotels are significantly more difficult to come by. But a long-standing cannabis getaway in Maryland offers a one-of-a-kind experience. The lodge at Fingerboard Farm in Ijamsville, with six bedrooms and room for up to 14 guests, sits on the same property as Fingerboard's dispensary, farmers market, and outdoor cultivation, which grows weed sold in seven nearby dispensaries.
The lodge, which opened in 2017, is part of a passion project that Fingerboard Farm owner Dawn Gordon launched after turning to CBD and cannabis to help treat pain associated with Lyme Disease.
Renting rooms or houses
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
- Individuals or couples: This weed-friendly guest suite in Washington DC is conveniently located just a few minutes from the district's border with Maryland and claims to provide free cannabis as a welcome gift to guests. It allows smoking “anywhere on the premises” and is relatively budget-friendly at $150 a night with room for two guests.
- Large groups: Larger groups might consider this canna-friendly house in northeast DC. The hosts offer two bedrooms and a futon for up to six guests in a “cozy” neighborhood near the Maryland border.
Things to do while high in Maryland
The options for stoned fun, hiking, natural beauty, and good food are plentiful across all of Maryland. Here are some of our best picks:
Catoctin Mountain
Few things in nature are as beautiful as scenic vistas atop a mountain or hiking trail. Catoctin Mountain, located in north-central Maryland near the state's border with Pennsylvania, features four unique overlooks: Chimney Rock, Hog Rock, Thurmont Vista, and the Blue Ridge Summit Overlook. The hikes to the top are somewhat arduous, between 1,400 and 1,600 feet. Consider waiting until you make it to the summit before toking up.
Ceylon House Lounge
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
Ceylon House — Maryland's only recognized cannabis consumption lounge — operates in a legal gray area. But that hasn't stopped the Burtonsville-based venue from hosting weekly events since it opened in March of this year. Puff and paint, canna-yoga, karaoke nights, and cannabis meditation are among the growing number of events for adults 21 and older to enjoy.
Janes Island State Park
A picturesque area for kayaking around lush marsh trails and the open waters of the Tangier Sound is even more fun with a joint to go along with it. Janes Island State Park is on every Marylander's list of top state parks; it's known for good crabbing, paddling, and hiking. If that's not enough, some 150 bird species call the park home throughout different times of the year.
Fishing hotspots
Photo by: Photo by Charles Jackson on UnsplashImage lightbox
Known internationally for its freshwater and saltwater fishing, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay attract both avid and novice fishers worldwide. Even people new to fishing and those not interested in the sport can appreciate the sheer variety of fish shapes and sizes anywhere you're allowed to fish in Maryland, especially while high and relaxed. Striped Bass, Black Seabass, Tautog, Tuna, White Marlin, and Perch are among some of Maryland's more prized catches.
FAQ
What's the difference between recreational and medical cannabis in Maryland?
Recreational cannabis is available for adults aged 21 and up. Medical cannabis is only for registered patients. You'll need a medical card to buy medical cannabis in Maryland, which you likely won't have if you're just visiting. Unlike many other medical cannabis states, Maryland does not accept reciprocity — meaning out-of-state patients can't use medical marijuana cards from their home state. To buy recreational cannabis, you must be 21 and have an ID.
What can I expect when shopping at a Maryland dispensary?
State law requires Maryland dispensaries to keep their cannabis products out of sight from the building's front door and outside windows, so every dispensary in the state should have a lobby area that you need to pass through before going into the actual shopping area.
Every dispensary is different, but most follow a similar procedure. When you walk inside, you'll see a desk, a receptionist to check you in, and likely some other customers waiting in the main lobby. The receptionist will ask for your ID. Dispensaries are not legally required to take down your information, but most do anyway. You might also be asked to fill out a consent form.
When it's your turn, a budtender will meet you at the entrance to the shopping area. The budtender will likely escort you inside and be available to answer any questions. From there, it's like shopping elsewhere: products are displayed in jars, on shelves, or behind glass cases. When you decide what you want, let your budtender know, and they'll bring it behind the counter for you to purchase. We highly recommend tipping your budtenders, but the exact amount is less cut-and-dry than in other industries. Take note of any helpful tips or advice that help you make your purchase and tip accordingly. Most budtenders generally appreciate a 5 - 10% tip.
How much cannabis can I buy in Maryland?
You can legally buy up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower or up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis in the form of vape products and edibles — concentrates are the only no-go for adult-use buyers, but medical cardholders can still buy them. Your total amount of daily THC purchased as a recreational buyer cannot exceed 750 milligrams.
It's not worth trying to stockpile cannabis. If a police officer catches you with more than the daily limit in your possession, you can face a fine of up to $1,000 and a misdemeanor citation. Try to consume most of your weed before returning to the dispensary to buy more. Federal law also prohibits crossing state lines with cannabis, even from one weed-legal state to another. Your best bet is to use up your product before leaving town.
Are Maryland dispensaries still cash-only, or can I use a card? What about other forms of payment, like Apple Pay and cryptocurrency?
Dispensaries have explored all kinds of ways to move away from cash. But as long as weed is federally illegal, card payment is tricky. Some Maryland dispensaries accept debit cards, but none take credit or Apple Pay, and they run the debit cards as “cashless ATM" transactions through your bank. Essentially, handheld card readers at dispensary registers disguise your weed purchase as cash withdrawals.
The tricky part? Weed receipts rarely land on even dollar figures after taxes, but most ATMs force customers to round to the nearest $10 or $20. So if you buy an eighth ounce of bud for $36.65, you have to pay $40 through your debit card, only to get $3.35 in cash back from the budtender at the register. Dispensaries usually round up to the nearest dollar, then tack on ATM fees ranging from $2 to $5. Cash is still the best bet by far.
Can I buy from multiple dispensaries in Maryland on the same day?
Yes, as long as you're under the daily purchase limit or avoid buying from the same dispensary chain. Maryland doesn't have a state tracking system for recreational buyers, meaning one store won't know if you've already been to another. Be careful, though: If you buy from multiple stores owned by the same parent company, the stores will likely have a record of your purchases in their system.
Where can I use cannabis in Maryland?
Maryland only lets cannabis consumers light up within private residences. All public places — such as parks, campgrounds, and national forests — are off-limits, as are bars, coffee houses, and even the dispensary where you bought the weed. It's possible to get away with lighting up in one of Maryland's state parks or on its many beaches, but getting caught by police could put a dent in your wallet and leave an unwanted stain on your record.
Cannabis consumption lounges are in the works, but we're still a year away from them opening in Maryland. If you want to smoke somewhere legally, look for a weed-friendly Airbnb, the lodge at Fingerboard Farm, or the Ceylon House.
Featured image by Brendan Beale/Unsplash
