Is CBD Oil Legal in Maryland?

CBD can be extracted from hemp and marijuana plants. Both varieties belong to the Cannabis Sativa L. plant family.

However, despite their common genus, these two plants are different in terms of their cannabinoid profiles.

Marijuana contains a high amount of THC and low-to-high levels of CBD, whereas hemp boasts higher concentrations of CBD and only trace amounts of THC — usually at 0.3% or less.

Needless to say, hemp and marijuana are treated differently by Maryland’s laws.

Marijuana CBD Oil in Maryland

Possession of small amounts of marijuana was decriminalized in Maryland in 2014. If you’re caught with 10 grams or less, you will only receive a $100 fine provided that it’s your first offense. The second offense can cost up to $250, and every following charge results in a $500 fine.

In 2016, Maryland also decriminalized the possession of drug paraphernalia and smoking in public. If you violate any of these laws, you can pay a maximum fine of $500.

2017 was a groundbreaking year for Maryland. The state introduced a legal marijuana bill that would have allowed adults aged 21 and over to possess an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants per household. The bill unfortunately failed, but we keep our fingers crossed for Maryland on this year’s voting ballot.

Currently, the only way to buy marijuana-derived CBD oil in Maryland is to apply for a medical marijuana card.

Buying Marijuana CBD Oil in Maryland as a Patient

Maryland legalized marijuana for medical use in 2013. However, the program became fully implemented in late 2017 due to several years of legal battles and bureaucracy.

As of today, you can become a medical marijuana patient by signing up with the Maryland Medical Marijuana Commission.

Once done, you’ll have to find a licensed medical marijuana doctor in the state. There’s a list of approved doctors available on the Maryland State Medical Society website.

If you want to obtain a medical marijuana card, you must have one of the following conditions:

• Anorexia

• Cachexia

• Chronic pain

• Glaucoma

• Muscle spasms

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (ALS)

• Seizures

• Severe pain

• Severe nausea

• Wasting syndrome

Maryland has a total of 14 growers, 12 processors, and 9 dispensaries that are allowed to distribute medical marijuana to patients. Unfortunately, you can’t grow your own plants.

How does hemp-derived CBD fit into the current legislation? Is it legal to buy CBD oil in Maryland?

Hemp CBD Oil in Maryland

Unlike flowering marijuana plants, hemp doesn’t contain much THC. In fact, the amount of the psychoactive compound in hemp plants usually doesn’t exceed 0.3%, which is the federally accepted limit.

In 2018, President Trump signed the amended Agricultural Act (also known as the Farm Bill), removing hemp from the list of controlled substances and reclassifying it to an agricultural commodity.

It’s now legal to grow, process, and sell hemp for many uses, including paper, clothing, biofuel, and health supplements such as CBD oil.

The new law applies to all 50 states. Maryland has quickly adopted its state regulations to the 2018 Farm Bill. You can buy CBD products in Maryland over the counter from local head shops, vitamin stores, vape shops, and from online retailers.

In the next section, we share a few tips on finding quality CBD products in Maryland.