Maryland Cannabis Laws

Maryland Cannabis Possession Limits: How Much You Can Legally Have

If you're 21 or older in Maryland, you can legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrate, or cannabis products containing up to 750 milligrams of THC. Go above that and you're in civil-citation territory. Go further still, and possession becomes a criminal offense.

This page covers what you can possess, where you can possess it, and what happens if you cross the line. For the broader picture, see our overview of Maryland cannabis laws. This guide isn't legal advice — if you're facing a charge, talk to a Maryland-licensed attorney.

How much cannabis can adults legally possess in Maryland?

Maryland uses a three-tier framework. Each tier has its own consequences, which is why "how much" is the wrong question to stop at — the right one is "which tier am I in?"

Personal use amount. Adults 21 and older can possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or cannabis products totaling 750 milligrams of THC. You can hold all three categories at once, as long as you stay under each cap. No fine, no record, no enforcement action.

Civil use amount. Possession above the personal use amount, but not exceeding 2.5 ounces of flower, 20 grams of concentrate, or 1,250 milligrams of THC in products, is a civil offense — not a crime. Police issue a citation, which carries a fine of up to $250. There's no arrest, no jail, and no criminal record. The Maryland People's Law Library has a detailed summary if you want to read further.

Criminal possession. Anything above the civil use cap — more than 2.5 ounces of flower, 20 grams of concentrate, or 1,250 milligrams of THC in products — is a misdemeanor under Md. Code Crim. Law § 5-601. Possession at larger quantities, or with evidence of intent to distribute, can escalate to a felony under § 5-602.

One thing to flag: these limits cover possession, not purchase. Adults can only buy up to the personal use amount in a single dispensary transaction. And driving rules are separate — see Maryland's cannabis DUI laws for those.

What is a Maryland medical patient's 30-day supply limit?

Registered patients have higher limits than adult-use customers. Under Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) rules, a patient's standard "Amount Certified" — the monthly purchase and possession allowance — is 120 grams of dried flower or 36 grams of THC in processed products, on a rolling 30-day basis. It's a combined limit, so flower and THC products count against the same cap.

Patients can buy the full allowance in a single visit, but the 30-day clock starts from each purchase. If a certifying provider determines a patient needs more, they can submit a waiver to raise the Amount Certified. Patients also avoid Maryland's 9% adult-use cannabis tax. To get started or stay current, see how to get a Maryland medical cannabis card or renew your medical card.

Where can you legally use cannabis in Maryland?

You can possess cannabis almost anywhere, but you can only consume it on private property. Public consumption — smoking, vaping, or even eating a gummy on a sidewalk or in a park — is prohibited. First offense carries a fine of up to $50; subsequent offenses up to $150.

A few specifics:

• Private homes: allowed, with the property owner's permission if you rent

• Sidewalks, parks, beaches, public transit: prohibited

• Hotels and short-term rentals: subject to property rules; many ban consumption indoors

• Workplaces: subject to employer policy, which can prohibit consumption and on-the-job possession

• Federally subsidized housing: complicated, because federal law still applies

Maryland authorized licensed on-site consumption lounges in the Cannabis Reform Act, but implementation has been slow. As of now, your private residence is the practical default.

Can you have cannabis in your car in Maryland?

Yes, you can transport personal-use quantities in your vehicle, but Maryland treats cannabis like alcohol when it comes to open containers. Three rules to follow:

• Product must be in sealed packaging — preferably the original dispensary container

• It cannot be within reach of the driver (trunk, glove box, or sealed cargo area is safest)

• No one can consume cannabis in the vehicle, even when it's parked

Driving impaired carries its own penalties on top of any possession issue. The full breakdown is in our guide to Maryland's cannabis DUI laws.

Can you grow cannabis at home in Maryland?

Adults 21 and older can grow up to two cannabis plants at home. The key word is household — the two-plant cap applies per residence, not per adult. Two roommates living together still get two plants total, not four. Maryland has one of the strictest home grow caps in the country.

Registered medical patients get an additional allowance — two extra plants per household, for a maximum of four plants per residence. That maximum doesn't increase if multiple patients live at the same address.

You can grow your own seeds, take cuttings, or work from clones. Maryland doesn't cap seedlings or starts in the statute, but the safe practice is to stay within the spirit of the two-plant ceiling. For the basics on what you're actually cultivating, see what counts as flower.

Can you gift or share cannabis between adults in Maryland?

Yes, but only as a true gift. Adults 21 and older can transfer up to the personal use amount to another adult — no payment, no exchange, no "donation" tied to a separate purchase. Maryland law specifically closes the "gift loophole" that gray-market sellers have used in other states. Anything that looks like a sale by an unlicensed person is treated as a sale, and selling cannabis without a license is a crime regardless of quantity.

Where in Maryland is cannabis still illegal?

Maryland law doesn't change federal law. Cannabis possession remains a federal crime, which means it's prohibited on:

• All federal land within the state, including Antietam National Battlefield, the C&O Canal National Historical Park, Catoctin Mountain Park, and Assateague Island National Seashore

• BWI Marshall Airport and other federally regulated airports

• Federal buildings, post offices, and courthouses

• Military installations, including Fort Meade, the Naval Academy grounds in Annapolis, and Andrews

• College campuses that accept federal funding

Penalties on federal property are handled in federal court — not Maryland court — and Maryland's civil-use framework doesn't apply.

What are the penalties for exceeding Maryland's possession limits?

Penalties scale with quantity. Here's how they break down:

Civil offense (between personal use and the 2.5 oz / 20 g / 1,250 mg ceiling): a citation, with a fine of up to $250. No arrest, no criminal record. A court can also order drug education or substance use treatment, especially for people under 21.

Misdemeanor possession (above the civil use cap but below felony thresholds): up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 under Md. Code Crim. Law § 5-601.

Felony charges (very large quantities, or possession with intent to distribute): significantly longer sentences, governed by Md. Code Crim. Law § 5-602. Aggravating factors include possession near a school, possession with a firearm, or repeat offenses.

A few details worth knowing:

• Possession by anyone under 21 is treated separately and can include drug education, treatment referrals, and civil penalties

• Possession on federal property triggers federal — not state — penalties, even if the amount would be legal under Maryland law

• People previously convicted of cannabis possession under § 5-601 can apply for resentencing or expungement under Maryland's Cannabis Reform Act

This isn't legal advice. If you're facing a possession charge, consult a Maryland-licensed criminal defense attorney. Driving-related charges are covered separately in our guide to Maryland's cannabis DUI laws.

Can out-of-state residents possess cannabis in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland's adult-use law doesn't restrict possession or purchase to residents. Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued photo ID can possess up to the personal use amount and purchase from a Maryland-licensed dispensary. Out-of-state customers pay the same 9% cannabis tax and follow the same limits.

What's not legal: taking cannabis across state lines. That includes driving to Delaware, Virginia, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia with cannabis in the car — crossing a state border with cannabis violates federal law, even if both states have legalized it. Buy what you'll use in Maryland, and consume it before you leave.

When do Maryland's possession limits change?

The current framework was set by the Cannabis Reform Act (HB 556 / SB 516), which Governor Wes Moore signed in May 2023 and which took effect July 1, 2023. The MCA can adjust regulations through rulemaking — packaging, labeling, dispensary operations — but the possession amounts themselves are written into statute and require legislative action to change. The Maryland General Assembly reviews cannabis policy each session, so keep an eye on bills that affect possession, on-site consumption, expungement, or tax structure. We update this page when the law changes.

Frequently asked questions

Maryland possession questions, answered.

How much weed can you legally carry in Maryland?

Adults 21 and older can carry up to 1.5 ounces of flower, 12 grams of concentrate, or cannabis products containing up to 750 milligrams of THC. Carrying above that, up to 2.5 ounces / 20 grams / 1,250 milligrams, is a civil offense with a fine of up to $250.

What is a felony amount of weed in Maryland?

Possession of cannabis amounts well above the civil use ceiling, or possession with evidence of intent to distribute, can be charged as a felony under Md. Code Crim. Law § 5-602. The specific thresholds depend on the product type and the circumstances of the arrest.

Can I smoke weed on the streets in Maryland?

No. Public consumption is prohibited anywhere outside private property. First offense carries a fine of up to $50; subsequent offenses up to $150. Consumption is only legal on private property where the property owner permits it.

Can you go to jail for weed in Maryland?

You can be jailed for possession only if you're carrying more than the civil use amount (over 2.5 ounces of flower, 20 grams of concentrate, or 1,250 milligrams of THC in products), or for distribution without a license. Personal and civil use amounts don't carry jail time.

Can out-of-state residents buy cannabis in Maryland?

Yes. Any adult 21 or older with a valid government-issued ID can buy and possess up to the personal use amount in Maryland. You cannot take cannabis across state lines — doing so violates federal law.

Can you grow your own weed in Maryland?

Yes. Adults 21 and older can grow up to two cannabis plants per household — the cap is per residence, not per person. Registered medical patients add two more plants for a household total of four. Plants must be out of public view and kept in a secured, locked area.