Governor Wes Moore Signs Sweeping Cannabis Reform Bills in Maryland

Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) has signed a comprehensive package of cannabis-related bills into law, marking a significant step forward for criminal justice reform, consumer rights, and regulatory clarity in the state’s evolving marijuana landscape.

Among the key measures is legislation that mandates the automatic shielding of records for low-level cannabis convictions that were previously pardoned. The governor also approved bills to expand expungement eligibility, allow for home production of cannabis edibles and concentrates, regulate on-site consumption lounges, and lay the groundwork for a second round of cannabis business licensing.

Shielding Cannabis Convictions: A Move Toward Justice

At the forefront of the new legislation is a bill requiring state officials to automatically restrict public access to records of cannabis possession convictions that have been formally pardoned. This initiative builds on Moore’s 2023 mass pardon of over 175,000 marijuana-related convictions and aims to remove systemic barriers for those affected.

The law amends the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system, forbidding it from referencing pardoned convictions for cannabis possession in electronic records. It also allows people who violated probation or parole to still qualify for expungement, provided they have completed their sentence and waited the appropriate number of years.

Broader Expungement Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Individuals

The Expungement Reform Act of 2025, also signed by the governor, removes prior barriers that required completion of probation or supervision before petitioning for expungement. Now, the law only mandates the completion of the sentence, followed by a waiting period depending on the offense. Liz Budnitz, lead counsel for the Last Prisoner Project, praised the law.

Regulating Cannabis Lounges and Clarifying Business Policies

In a separate piece of legislation, Governor Moore signed into law regulations for cannabis consumption lounges. These venues, anticipated under Maryland’s initial legalization framework, now have clearer guidelines for operation.

Under the new law, consumption lounges may serve non-infused food products and offer cannabinoid beverages that contain no more than 5mg of THC per serving. The bill classifies these venues as food service facilities and grants them the ability to operate under regulated safety standards.

Before the next round of business licensing, a disparity study must be conducted to determine if minorities and women face systemic barriers in Maryland’s cannabis industry. If evidence of disparity is found, the licensing process will incorporate remedial measures to ensure equitable access.

Second Licensing Lottery to Expand Cannabis Industry

The second licensing round, contingent on the outcome of the disparity study, could result in the approval of:

25 new grower licenses

25 new processor licenses

120 new dispensary licenses

70 additional microbusiness licenses for growers and processors

10 incubator space licenses

15 on-site consumption lounge licenses

Additionally, while cannabis business licenses currently come with a five-year restriction on transferability, the new law introduces a carve-out. Business owners may now transfer licenses to employees via employee stock ownership plans, promoting shared economic participation and workforce retention.

Home Production of Edibles and Concentrates Now Legal

In a move welcomed by cannabis advocates and consumers, the governor also signed legislation allowing adults to manufacture marijuana edibles and concentrates at home for personal use. While home cultivation was already permitted, this expansion accommodates non-flower cannabis products.

The law maintains safety precautions by continuing to prohibit the use of volatile solvents in home concentrate production. It also modifies criminal penalties for large-scale cannabis possession. Possessing more than 50 pounds of marijuana will no longer be a felony with a mandatory minimum five-year sentence. Instead, it will be considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a $50,000 fine.

Pathways for Sentencing Relief and Additional Reforms

The law provides an avenue for individuals currently serving mandatory minimum sentences for cannabis-related offenses to petition the courts for sentence modifications. This provision adds another layer of restorative justice to the overall reform package.

In addition to cannabis-specific reforms, the legislation includes provisions that enhance penalties for firearms-related crimes, reflecting a broader public safety focus.

Protections for Fire and Rescue Workers Still in Limbo

While the Maryland Senate recently passed a bill to protect fire and rescue personnel from job discrimination based on off-duty medical marijuana use, the measure did not advance in the House. The bill aimed to prevent employers from penalizing employees solely due to a positive THC test, safeguarding their employment rights.

Recruiting Challenges and Cannabis Policy Shifts in Law Enforcement

Earlier this year, Maryland’s largest county announced plans to relax cannabis-related hiring standards for police recruits to address a staffing shortage. The shift underscores the broader societal transformation taking place as cannabis moves from criminalized to normalized.

A Landmark Moment for Cannabis Reform in Maryland

Governor Wes Moore’s approval of these sweeping cannabis reform bills signals a new era for the state’s approach to marijuana policy. By prioritizing equity, justice, and public health, Maryland joins a growing number of states embracing comprehensive reform that acknowledges the harms of past policies while fostering a more inclusive and regulated future.

As Marylanders look ahead, the implementation of these new laws will be closely watched by advocates, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike. For now, the message from Annapolis is clear: cannabis justice and industry progress are not mutually exclusive—they are fundamentally linked.