Maryland 2022 Regular Session

Maryland Senate Bill SB692 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3	EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
4	4	[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5	5	sb0692
6	6
7	7	SENATE BILL 692
8	8	E1, J1, Q4 2lr0987
9	9
10	10	By: Senator Carter
11	11	Introduced and read first time: February 4, 2022
12	12	Assigned to: Finance and Budget and Taxation
13	13
14	14	A BILL ENTITLED
15	15
16	16	AN ACT concerning 1
17	17
18	18	Cannabis – Legalization and Regulation 2
19	19	(Cannabis Legalization and Reparations for the War on Drugs Act) 3
20	20
21	21	FOR the purpose of legalizing the use and possession of a certain amount of cannabis by an 4
22	22	individual who is at least a certain age; providing for the clearing of criminal records 5
23	23	and disposition of certain charges relating to the use and possession of cannabis; 6
24	24	establishing a system for the regulation and taxation of the market for the 7
25	25	production and sale of cannabis in the State; and generally relating to cannabis. 8
26	26
27	27	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 9
28	28	Article – Criminal Law 10
29	29	Section 5–101(a) 11
30	30	Annotated Code of Maryland 12
31	31	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 13
32	32
33	33	BY adding to 14
34	34	Article – Criminal Law 15
35	35	Section 5–101(e–1) and (t), 5–601.2, 5–607.1, and 5–629 16
36	36	Annotated Code of Maryland 17
37	37	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 18
38	38
39	39	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
40	40	Article – Criminal Law 20
41	41	Section 5–101(p), (s), and (t), 5–601(a), (c), and (d), 5–601.1, 5–602, 5–607, 5–612, 21
42	42	5–614, 5–619(c), 5–620, 10–113, 10–116, and 10–117 22
43	43	Annotated Code of Maryland 23
44	44	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 24
45	45
46	46	BY repealing 25
47	47	Article – Criminal Law 26
48	48	Section 5–101(r) 27 2 SENATE BILL 692
49	49
50	50
51	51	Annotated Code of Maryland 1
52	52	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 2
53	53
54	54	BY adding to 3
55	55	Article – Criminal Procedure 4
56	56	Section 1–211, 8–303, and 10–105.3 5
57	57	Annotated Code of Maryland 6
58	58	(2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 7
59	59
60	60	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
61	61	Article – Economic Development 9
62	62	Section 5–1501 10
63	63	Annotated Code of Maryland 11
64	64	(2018 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 12
65	65
66	66	BY adding to 13
67	67	Article – Health – General 14
68	68	Section 23–101 through 23–702 to be under the new title “Title 23. Cannabis” 15
69	69	Annotated Code of Maryland 16
70	70	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 17
71	71
72	72	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 18
73	73	Article – Health – General 19
74	74	Section 24–501(a), 24–504, and 24–508(a) 20
75	75	Annotated Code of Maryland 21
76	76	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 22
77	77
78	78	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 23
79	79	Article – Health – General 24
80	80	Section 24–501(d) and (g), 24–502, 24–503, 24–507, and 24–510 25
81	81	Annotated Code of Maryland 26
82	82	(2019 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 27
83	83
84	84	BY adding to 28
85	85	Article – Tax – General 29
86	86	Section 12.5–101 through 12.5–104 to be under the new title “Title 12.5. Cannabis 30
87	87	Tax” 31
88	88	Annotated Code of Maryland 32
89	89	(2016 Replacement Volume and 2021 Supplement) 33
90	90
91	91	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 34
92	92	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 35
93	93
94	94	Article – Criminal Law 36
95	95
96	96	5–101. 37
97	97	SENATE BILL 692 3
98	98
99	99
100	100	(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 1
101	101
102	102	(E–1) (1) “CANNABIS” MEANS THE PLANT CANNABIS SATIVA L. AND ANY 2
103	103	PART OF THE PLANT , INCLUDING ALL DERIVA TIVES, EXTRACTS, CANNABINOIDS , 3
104	104	ISOMERS, ACIDS, SALTS, AND SALTS OF ISOMERS , WHETHER GROWING OR N OT, WITH 4
105	105	A DELTA–9–TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CONCENTRATION GREATE R THAN 0.3% ON A 5
106	106	DRY WEIGHT BASIS . 6
107	107
108	108	(2) “CANNABIS” DOES NOT INCLUDE HEM P AS DEFINED IN § 14–101 7
109	109	OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 8
110	110
111	111	(p) (1) “Drug paraphernalia” means equipment, a product, or material that is 9
112	112	used, intended for use, or designed for use, in: 10
113	113
114	114	(i) planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, 11
115	115	manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, packaging, 12
116	116	repackaging, storing, containing, or concealing a controlled dangerous substance in 13
117	117	violation of this title; or 14
118	118
119	119	(ii) injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the 15
120	120	human body a controlled dangerous substance in violation of this title. 16
121	121
122	122	(2) “Drug paraphernalia” includes: 17
123	123
124	124	(i) a kit used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, 18
125	125	propagating, cultivating, growing, or harvesting any species of plant that is a controlled 19
126	126	dangerous substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS or from which a controlled dangerous 20
127	127	substance can be derived; 21
128	128
129	129	(ii) a kit used, intended for use, or designed for use in 22
130	130	manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, or preparing a controlled 23
131	131	dangerous substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 24
132	132
133	133	(iii) an isomerization device used, intended for use, or designed for 25
134	134	use in increasing the potency of any species of plant that is a controlled dangerous 26
135	135	substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 27
136	136
137	137	(iv) testing equipment used, intended for use, or designed for use in 28
138	138	analyzing the strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled dangerous substance OTHER 29
139	139	THAN CANNABIS ; 30
140	140
141	141	(v) a scale or balance used, intended for use, or designed for use in 31
142	142	weighing or measuring a controlled dangerous substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 32
143	143
144	144	(vi) a diluent or adulterant, such as quinine hydrochloride, mannitol, 33
145	145	mannite, dextrose, or lactose, used, intended for use, or designed for use in cutting a 34 4 SENATE BILL 692
146	146
147	147
148	148	controlled dangerous substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 1
149	149
150	150	(vii) a separation gin or sifter used, intended for use, or designed for 2
151	151	use in removing twigs and seeds from, or in otherwise cleaning or refining, [marijuana] A 3
152	152	CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE OTHER THAN CANNABIS; 4
153	153
154	154	(viii) a blender, bowl, container, spoon, or mixing device used, 5
155	155	intended for use, or designed for use in compounding a controlled dangerous substance 6
156	156	OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 7
157	157
158	158	(ix) a capsule, balloon, envelope, or other container used, intended 8
159	159	for use, or designed for use in packaging small quantities of a controlled dangerous 9
160	160	substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 10
161	161
162	162	(x) a container or other object used, intended for use, or designed for 11
163	163	use in storing or concealing a controlled dangerous substance OTHER THAN CANNABIS ; 12
164	164
165	165	(xi) a hypodermic syringe, needle, or other object used, intended for 13
166	166	use, or designed for use in parenterally injecting a controlled dangerous substance into the 14
167	167	human body; and 15
168	168
169	169	(xii) an object used, intended for use, or designed for use in ingesting, 16
170	170	inhaling, or otherwise introducing [marijuana,] cocaine[, hashish, or hashish oil] into the 17
171	171	human body [such as: 18
172	172
173	173	1. a metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic 19
174	174	pipe with or without screen, permanent screen, hashish head, or punctured metal bowl; 20
175	175
176	176	2. a water pipe; 21
177	177
178	178	3. a carburetion tube or device; 22
179	179
180	180	4. a smoking or carburetion mask; 23
181	181
182	182	5. an object known as a roach clip used to hold burning 24
183	183	material, such as a marijuana cigarette that has become too small or too short to be held in 25
184	184	the hand; 26
185	185
186	186	6. a miniature spoon used for cocaine and cocaine vials; 27
187	187
188	188	7. a chamber pipe; 28
189	189
190	190	8. a carburetor pipe; 29
191	191
192	192	9. an electric pipe; 30
193	193	SENATE BILL 692 5
194	194
195	195
196	196	10. an air–driven pipe; 1
197	197
198	198	11. a chillum; 2
199	199
200	200	12. a bong; and 3
201	201
202	202	13. an ice pipe or chiller]. 4
203	203
204	204	(3) “DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ” DOES NOT INCLUDE CAN NABIS 5
205	205	ACCESSORIES AS DEFIN ED IN § 23–101 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 6
206	206
207	207	[(r) (1) “Marijuana” means: 7
208	208
209	209	(i) all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether or not the 8
210	210	plant is growing; 9
211	211
212	212	(ii) the seeds of the plant; 10
213	213
214	214	(iii) the resin extracted from the plant; and 11
215	215
216	216	(iv) each compound, manufactured product, salt, derivative, mixture, 12
217	217	or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or its resin. 13
218	218
219	219	(2) “Marijuana” does not include: 14
220	220
221	221	(i) the mature stalks of the plant; 15
222	222
223	223	(ii) fiber produced from the mature stalks; 16
224	224
225	225	(iii) oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant; 17
226	226
227	227	(iv) except for resin, any other compound, manufactured product, 18
228	228	salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks, fiber, oil, or cake; 19
229	229
230	230	(v) the sterilized seed of the plant that is incapable of germination; 20
231	231	or 21
232	232
233	233	(vi) hemp as defined in § 14–101 of the Agriculture Article.] 22
234	234
235	235	[(s)] (R) (1) “Narcotic drug” means a substance: 23
236	236
237	237	(i) that has been found to present an extreme danger to the health 24
238	238	and welfare of the community because of addiction–forming and addiction–sustaining 25
239	239	qualities; 26
240	240
241	241	(ii) that is: 27 6 SENATE BILL 692
242	242
243	243
244	244
245	245	1. an opiate; 1
246	246
247	247	2. a compound, manufactured substance, salt, derivative, or 2
248	248	preparation of opium, coca leaf, or an opiate; or 3
249	249
250	250	3. a substance and any compound, manufactured substance, 4
251	251	salt, derivative, or preparation that is chemically identical with a substance listed in items 5
252	252	1 and 2 of this item; and 6
253	253
254	254	(iii) that is produced: 7
255	255
256	256	1. directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of 8
257	257	vegetable origin; 9
258	258
259	259	2. independently by chemical synthesis; or 10
260	260
261	261	3. by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis. 11
262	262
263	263	(2) “Narcotic drug” includes decocainized coca leaf or an extract of coca leaf 12
264	264	that does not contain cocaine or ecgonine. 13
265	265
266	266	[(t)] (S) “Noncontrolled substance” means a substance that is not classified as a 14
267	267	controlled dangerous substance under Subtitle 4 of this title. 15
268	268
269	269	(T) “PERSONAL USE AMOUNT ” MEANS: 16
270	270
271	271	(1) AN AMOUNT OF CANNABI S THAT DOES NOT EX CEED 4 OUNCES; 17
272	272
273	273	(2) AN AMOUNT OF CONCENT RATED CANNABIS THAT DOES NOT 18
274	274	EXCEED 24 GRAMS; OR 19
275	275
276	276	(3) SIX OR FEWER CANNABI S PLANTS. 20
277	277
278	278	5–601. 21
279	279
280	280	(a) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not: 22
281	281
282	282	(1) possess or administer to another a controlled dangerous substance, 23
283	283	unless: 24
284	284
285	285	(I) obtained directly or by prescription or order from an authorized 25
286	286	provider acting in the course of professional practice; [or] 26
287	287
288	288	(II) THE CONTROLLED DANGE ROUS SUBSTANCE IS CA NNABIS, 27
289	289	THE INDIVIDUAL IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD, AND THE AMOUNT POSSE SSED DOES 28 SENATE BILL 692 7
290	290
291	291
292	292	NOT EXCEED A PERSONA L USE AMOUNT ; OR 1
293	293
294	294	(III) THE CONTROLLED DANGE ROUS SUBSTANCE IS CA NNABIS 2
295	295	AND POSSESSION IS LE GAL UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OR TITLE 23 OF THE 3
296	296	HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE; OR 4
297	297
298	298	(2) obtain or attempt to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, or 5
299	299	procure or attempt to procure the administration of a controlled dangerous substance by: 6
300	300
301	301	(i) fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge; 7
302	302
303	303	(ii) the counterfeiting or alteration of a prescription or a written 8
304	304	order; 9
305	305
306	306	(iii) the concealment of a material fact; 10
307	307
308	308	(iv) the use of a false name or address; 11
309	309
310	310	(v) falsely assuming the title of or representing to be a 12
311	311	manufacturer, distributor, or authorized provider; or 13
312	312
313	313	(vi) making, issuing, or presenting a false or counterfeit prescription 14
314	314	or written order. 15
315	315
316	316	(c) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs [(2), (3), and (4)] (2) AND (3) of this 16
317	317	subsection, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction 17
318	318	is subject to: 18
319	319
320	320	(i) for a first conviction, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine 19
321	321	not exceeding $5,000 or both; 20
322	322
323	323	(ii) for a second or third conviction, imprisonment not exceeding 18 21
324	324	months or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both; or 22
325	325
326	326	(iii) for a fourth or subsequent conviction, imprisonment not 23
327	327	exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both. 24
328	328
329	329	(2) [(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a 25
330	330	person whose violation of this section involves the use or possession of marijuana is guilty 26
331	331	of a misdemeanor of possession of marijuana and is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 27
332	332	6 months or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.] 28
333	333
334	334	(I) 1. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE P ROVIDED IN THIS TITL E, A 29
335	335	FINDING OF GUILT UND ER THIS SECTION INVO LVING THE USE OR POSSESSION OF AN 30
336	336	AMOUNT OF CANNABIS EXCEEDING THE PERSON AL USE AMOUNT IS A C IVIL OFFENSE 31
337	337	PUNISHABLE BY A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $150. 32 8 SENATE BILL 692
338	338
339	339
340	340
341	341	2. A PERSON WHO IS FOUND GUILTY OF A CIVIL OFFENSE 1
342	342	UNDER THIS SUBPARAGR APH MAY REQUEST , AND SHALL BE GRANTED , A PENALTY 2
343	343	OF UP TO 15 HOURS OF COMMUNITY S ERVICE IN LIEU OF A FINE. 3
344	344
345	345	(ii) 1. A [first] finding of guilt under this section involving the 4
346	346	use or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] AN AMOUNT OF CANNABI S NOT 5
347	347	EXCEEDING THE PERSON AL USE AMOUNT BY AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE AGE OF 21 6
348	348	YEARS is a civil offense punishable by a fine not exceeding [$100] $50. 7
349	349
350	350	2. [A second finding of guilt under this section involving the 8
351	351	use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is a civil offense punishable by a fine 9
352	352	not exceeding $250. 10
353	353
354	354	3. A third or subsequent finding of guilt under this section 11
355	355	involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is a civil offense 12
356	356	punishable by a fine not exceeding $500. 13
357	357
358	358	4. A. In addition to a fine, a] A court shall [order] 14
359	359	PROVIDE a person under the age of 21 years who commits a violation punishable under 15
360	360	subsubparagraph 1[, 2, or 3] of this subparagraph [to attend a drug education program 16
361	361	approved by the Maryland Department of Health, refer the person to an assessment for 17
362	362	substance abuse disorder, and refer the person to substance abuse treatment, if necessary] 18
363	363	WITH INFORMATION REL ATING TO CANNABIS US E DISORDER AND THE D ANGERS OF 19
364	364	UNDERAGE USE OF CANNABIS . 20
365	365
366	366	[B. In addition to a fine, a court shall order a person at least 21
367	367	21 years old who commits a violation punishable under subsubparagraph 3 of this 22
368	368	subparagraph to attend a drug education program approved by the Maryland Department 23
369	369	of Health, refer the person to an assessment for substance abuse disorder, and refer the 24
370	370	person to substance abuse treatment, if necessary. 25
371	371
372	372	C. A court that orders a person to a drug education program 26
373	373	or substance abuse assessment or treatment under this subsubparagraph may hold the 27
374	374	case sub curia pending receipt of proof of completion of the program, assessment, or 28
375	375	treatment.] 29
376	376
377	377	(3) (i) 1. In this paragraph the following words have the meanings 30
378	378	indicated. 31
379	379
380	380	2. “Bona fide physician–patient relationship” means a 32
381	381	relationship in which the physician has ongoing responsibility for the assessment, care, and 33
382	382	treatment of a patient’s medical condition. 34
383	383
384	384	3. “Caregiver” means an individual designated by a patient 35
385	385	with a debilitating medical condition to provide physical or medical assistance to the 36 SENATE BILL 692 9
386	386
387	387
388	388	patient, including assisting with the medical use of [marijuana] CANNABIS, who: 1
389	389
390	390	A. is a resident of the State; 2
391	391
392	392	B. is at least 21 years old; 3
393	393
394	394	C. is an immediate family member, a spouse, or a domestic 4
395	395	partner of the patient; 5
396	396
397	397	D. has not been convicted of a crime of violence as defined in 6
398	398	§ 14–101 of this article; 7
399	399
400	400	E. has not been convicted of a violation of a State or federal 8
401	401	controlled dangerous substances law; 9
402	402
403	403	F. has not been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude; 10
404	404
405	405	G. has been designated as caregiver by the patient in writing 11
406	406	that has been placed in the patient’s medical record prior to arrest; 12
407	407
408	408	H. is the only individual designated by the patient to serve as 13
409	409	caregiver; and 14
410	410
411	411	I. is not serving as caregiver for any other patient. 15
412	412
413	413	4. “Debilitating medical condition” means a chronic or 16
414	414	debilitating disease or medical condition or the treatment of a chronic or debilitating 17
415	415	disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following, as documented by 18
416	416	a physician with whom the patient has a bona fide physician–patient relationship: 19
417	417
418	418	A. cachexia or wasting syndrome; 20
419	419
420	420	B. severe or chronic pain; 21
421	421
422	422	C. severe nausea; 22
423	423
424	424	D. seizures; 23
425	425
426	426	E. severe and persistent muscle spasms; or 24
427	427
428	428	F. any other condition that is severe and resistant to 25
429	429	conventional medicine. 26
430	430
431	431	(ii) 1. In a prosecution for the use or possession of [marijuana] 27
432	432	CANNABIS, the defendant may introduce and the court shall consider as a mitigating factor 28
433	433	any evidence of medical necessity. 29
434	434	10 SENATE BILL 692
435	435
436	436
437	437	2. Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of this subsection, if the 1
438	438	court finds that the person used or possessed [marijuana] CANNABIS because of medical 2
439	439	necessity, the court shall dismiss the charge. 3
440	440
441	441	(iii) 1. In a prosecution for the use or possession of [marijuana] 4
442	442	CANNABIS under this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant used or 5
443	443	possessed [marijuana] CANNABIS because: 6
444	444
445	445	A. the defendant has a debilitating medical condition that 7
446	446	has been diagnosed by a physician with whom the defendant has a bona fide 8
447	447	physician–patient relationship; 9
448	448
449	449	B. the debilitating medical condition is severe and resistant 10
450	450	to conventional medicine; and 11
451	451
452	452	C. [marijuana] CANNABIS is likely to provide the defendant 12
453	453	with therapeutic or palliative relief from the debilitating medical condition. 13
454	454
455	455	2. A. In a prosecution for the possession of [marijuana] 14
456	456	CANNABIS under this section, it is an affirmative defense that the defendant possessed 15
457	457	[marijuana] CANNABIS because the [marijuana] CANNABIS was intended for medical use 16
458	458	by an individual with a debilitating medical condition for whom the defendant is a 17
459	459	caregiver. 18
460	460
461	461	B. A defendant may not assert the affirmative defense under 19
462	462	this subsubparagraph unless the defendant notifies the State’s Attorney of the defendant’s 20
463	463	intention to assert the affirmative defense and provides the State’s Attorney with all 21
464	464	documentation in support of the affirmative defense in accordance with the rules of 22
465	465	discovery provided in Maryland Rules 4–262 and 4–263. 23
466	466
467	467	3. An affirmative defense under this subparagraph may not 24
468	468	be used if the defendant was: 25
469	469
470	470	A. [using marijuana in a public place or] assisting the 26
471	471	individual for whom the defendant is a caregiver in using the [marijuana] CANNABIS in a 27
472	472	public place; or 28
473	473
474	474	B. in possession of more than 1 ounce of [marijuana] 29
475	475	CANNABIS. 30
476	476
477	477	[(4) A violation of this section involving the smoking of marijuana in a 31
478	478	public place is a civil offense punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.] 32
479	479
480	480	(d) The provisions of subsection [(c)(2)(ii)] (C)(2) of this section making the 33
481	481	possession of [marijuana] CANNABIS a civil offense UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUM STANCES 34
482	482	AND THE PROVISIONS O F TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE MAKING 35 SENATE BILL 692 11
483	483
484	484
485	485	THE POSSESSION OF CA NNABIS LEGA L FOR INDIVIDUALS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD 1
486	486	UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUM STANCES may not be construed to affect the laws relating to[: 2
487	487
488	488	(1)] operating a vehicle or vessel while under the influence of or while 3
489	489	impaired by a controlled dangerous substance[; or 4
490	490
491	491	(2) seizure and forfeiture]. 5
492	492
493	493	5–601.1. 6
494	494
495	495	(a) A police officer shall issue a citation to a person who the police officer has 7
496	496	probable cause to believe has committed a violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the use 8
497	497	or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] MORE THAN THE PERSON AL USE 9
498	498	AMOUNT OF CANNABIS. 10
499	499
500	500	(b) (1) A violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the use or possession of [less 11
501	501	than 10 grams of marijuana] MORE THAN THE PERSON AL USE AMOUNT OF CANNABIS 12
502	502	is a civil offense. 13
503	503
504	504	(2) Adjudication of a violation under § 5–601 of this part involving the use 14
505	505	or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS: 15
506	506
507	507	(i) is not a criminal conviction for any purpose; and 16
508	508
509	509	(ii) does not impose any of the civil disabilities that may result from 17
510	510	a criminal conviction. 18
511	511
512	512	(c) (1) A citation issued for a violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the use 19
513	513	or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS shall be signed by the police 20
514	514	officer who issues the citation and shall contain: 21
515	515
516	516	(i) the name, address, and date of birth of the person charged; 22
517	517
518	518	(ii) the date and time that the violation occurred; 23
519	519
520	520	(iii) the location at which the violation occurred; 24
521	521
522	522	(iv) the fine OR AMOUNT OF COMMUNI TY SERVICE that may be 25
523	523	imposed; 26
524	524
525	525	(v) a notice stating that prepayment of the fine is allowed, except as 27
526	526	provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection; and 28
527	527
528	528	(vi) a notice in boldface type that states that the person shall: 29
529	529
530	530	1. pay the full amount of the preset fine; [or] 30 12 SENATE BILL 692
531	531
532	532
533	533
534	534	2. REQUEST COMMUNITY SERVICE IN LIEU OF THE FINE; 1
535	535	OR 2
536	536
537	537	3. request a trial date at the date, time, and place established 3
538	538	by the District Court by writ or trial notice. 4
539	539
540	540	(2) [(i)] If a citation for a violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the 5
541	541	use or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS is issued to a person 6
542	542	under the age of 21 years, the court shall summon the person for trial. 7
543	543
544	544	[(ii) If the court finds that a person at least 21 years old who has been 8
545	545	issued a citation under this section has at least twice previously been found guilty under § 9
546	546	5–601 of this part involving the use or possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana, the 10
547	547	court shall summon the person for trial.] 11
548	548
549	549	(d) The form of the citation shall be uniform throughout the State and shall be 12
550	550	prescribed by the District Court. 13
551	551
552	552	(e) (1) The Chief Judge of the District Court shall establish a schedule for the 14
553	553	prepayment of the fine AND PROCEDURES FOR I NDIVIDUALS TO REQUES T AND BE 15
554	554	GRANTED COMMUNITY SE RVICE IN LIEU OF A F INE. 16
555	555
556	556	(2) Prepayment of a fine OR ACCEPTANCE OF COM MUNITY SERVICE IN 17
557	557	LIEU OF A FINE shall be considered a plea of guilty to a Code violation. 18
558	558
559	559	(3) A person described in subsection (c)(2) of this section may not prepay 19
560	560	the fine. 20
561	561
562	562	(f) (1) A person may request a trial by sending a request for trial to the District 21
563	563	Court in the jurisdiction where the citation was issued within 30 days of the issuance of the 22
564	564	citation. 23
565	565
566	566	(2) If a person other than a person described in subsection (c)(2) of this 24
567	567	section does not request a trial [or], prepay the fine, OR REQUEST COMMUNITY SERVICE 25
568	568	IN LIEU OF A FINE within 30 days of the issuance of the citation, the court may impose the 26
569	569	maximum fine and costs against the person and find the person is guilty of a Code violation 27
570	570	[for purposes of subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section]. 28
571	571
572	572	(g) The issuing jurisdiction shall forward a copy of the citation and a request for 29
573	573	trial to the District Court in the district having venue. 30
574	574
575	575	(h) (1) The failure of a defendant to respond to a summons described in 31
576	576	subsection (c)(2) of this section shall be governed by § 5–212 of the Criminal Procedure 32
577	577	Article. 33
578	578	SENATE BILL 692 13
579	579
580	580
581	581	(2) If a person at least 21 years old fails to appear after having requested 1
582	582	a trial, the court may impose the maximum fine OR COMMUNITY SERVICE and costs 2
583	583	against the person and find the person is guilty of a Code violation [for purposes of 3
584	584	subsection (c)(2)(ii) of this section]. 4
585	585
586	586	(i) In any proceeding for a Code violation under § 5–601 of this part involving the 5
587	587	use or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS: 6
588	588
589	589	(1) the State has the burden to prove the guilt of the defendant by a 7
590	590	preponderance of the evidence; 8
591	591
592	592	(2) the court shall apply the evidentiary standards as prescribed by law or 9
593	593	rule for the trial of a criminal case; 10
594	594
595	595	(3) the court shall ensure that the defendant has received a copy of the 11
596	596	charges against the defendant and that the defendant understands those charges; 12
597	597
598	598	(4) the defendant is entitled to cross–examine all witnesses who appear 13
599	599	against the defendant, to produce evidence or witnesses on behalf of the defendant, and to 14
600	600	testify on the defendant’s own behalf, if the defendant chooses to do so; 15
601	601
602	602	(5) the defendant is entitled to be represented by counsel of the defendant’s 16
603	603	choice and at the expense of the defendant; and 17
604	604
605	605	(6) the defendant may enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, and the verdict 18
606	606	of the court in the case shall be: 19
607	607
608	608	(i) guilty of a Code violation; 20
609	609
610	610	(ii) not guilty of a Code violation; or 21
611	611
612	612	(iii) probation before judgment, imposed by the court in the same 22
613	613	manner and to the same extent as is allowed by law in the trial of a criminal case. 23
614	614
615	615	(j) (1) The defendant is liable for the costs of the proceedings in the District 24
616	616	Court. 25
617	617
618	618	(2) The court costs in a Code violation case under § 5–601 of this part 26
619	619	involving the use or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS in which 27
620	620	costs are imposed are $5. 28
621	621
622	622	(k) (1) The State’s Attorney for any county may prosecute a Code violation 29
623	623	under § 5–601 of this part involving the use or possession of [less than 10 grams of 30
624	624	marijuana] CANNABIS in the same manner as prosecution of a violation of the criminal 31
625	625	laws of the State. 32
626	626	14 SENATE BILL 692
627	627
628	628
629	629	(2) In a Code violation case under § 5–601 of this part involving the use or 1
630	630	possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS, the State’s Attorney may: 2
631	631
632	632	(i) enter a nolle prosequi or move to place the case on the stet docket; 3
633	633	and 4
634	634
635	635	(ii) exercise authority in the same manner as prescribed by law for 5
636	636	violation of the criminal laws of the State. 6
637	637
638	638	(l) A person issued a citation for a violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the 7
639	639	use or possession of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS who is under the age of 8
640	640	18 years shall be subject to the procedures and dispositions provided in Title 3, Subtitle 8A 9
641	641	of the Courts Article. 10
642	642
643	643	(m) A citation for a violation of § 5–601 of this part involving the use or possession 11
644	644	of [less than 10 grams of marijuana] CANNABIS and the official record of a court regarding 12
645	645	the citation are not subject to public inspection and may not be included on the public 13
646	646	website maintained by the Maryland Judiciary if: 14
647	647
648	648	(1) the defendant has prepaid the fine OR PERFORMED THE COM MUNITY 15
649	649	SERVICE; 16
650	650
651	651	(2) the defendant has pled guilty to or been found guilty of the Code 17
652	652	violation and has fully paid the fine OR PERFORMED THE COM MUNITY SERVICE and 18
653	653	PAID THE costs imposed for the violation; 19
654	654
655	655	(3) the defendant has received a probation before judgment and has fully 20
656	656	paid the fine OR PERFORMED THE COM MUNITY SERVICE and completed any terms 21
657	657	imposed by the court; 22
658	658
659	659	(4) the case has been removed from the stet docket after the defendant fully 23
660	660	paid the fine and completed any terms imposed by the court; 24
661	661
662	662	(5) the State has entered a nolle prosequi; 25
663	663
664	664	(6) the defendant has been found not guilty of the charge; or 26
665	665
666	666	(7) the charge has been dismissed. 27
667	667
668	668	5–601.2. 28
669	669
670	670	(A) A PERSON MAY NOT CULTI VATE CANNABIS PLANTS IN A MANNER THAT 29
671	671	IS CONTRARY TO THIS SECTION. 30
672	672
673	673	(B) CANNABIS PLANTS MAY N OT BE CULTIVATED IN A LOCATION WHERE 31
674	674	THE PLANTS ARE SUBJE CT TO PUBLIC VIEW, INCLUDING A VIEW FRO M ANOTHER 32 SENATE BILL 692 15
675	675
676	676
677	677	PRIVATE PROPERTY , WITHOUT THE USE OF B INOCULARS, AIRCRAFT, OR OTHER 1
678	678	OPTICAL AIDS. 2
679	679
680	680	(C) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION , “REASONABLE PRECAUTIO NS” INCLUDES 3
681	681	CULTIVATING CANNABIS IN AN ENCLOSED LOCKE D SPACE TO WHICH PER SONS 4
682	682	UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS DO NOT POSSESS A KEY. 5
683	683
684	684	(2) A PERSON WHO CULTIVATE S CANNABIS SHALL TAK E REASONABLE 6
685	685	PRECAUTIONS TO ENSUR E THE PLANTS ARE SEC URE FROM UNAUTHORIZE D ACCESS 7
686	686	AND ACCESS BY A PERS ON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS. 8
687	687
688	688	(D) CANNABIS CULTIVATION MAY OCCUR ONLY ON PRO PERTY LAWFULLY IN 9
689	689	POSSESSION OF THE CU LTIVATOR OR WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PERSO N IN 10
690	690	LAWFUL POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY . 11
691	691
692	692	(E) A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS MAY NOT CULTIV ATE CANNABIS 12
693	693	PLANTS. 13
694	694
695	695	(F) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT CULTI VATE MORE THAN SIX CANNABIS 14
696	696	PLANTS. 15
697	697
698	698	(2) IF TWO OR MORE PERSON S AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD RESIDE AT 16
699	699	THE SAME RESIDENCE , NO MORE THAN 12 CANNABIS PLANTS MAY BE CULTIVATED 17
700	700	AT THAT RESIDENCE . 18
701	701
702	702	(G) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , A 19
703	703	PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTIO N IS GUILTY OF A CIVIL OFFENSE PUNISHABL E 20
704	704	BY A FINE NOT EXCEED ING $750. 21
705	705
706	706	(2) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION BY CULT IVATING MORE 22
707	707	THAN SIX PLANTS BUT FEWER THAN 12 PLANTS IS GUILTY OF A CIVIL OFFENSE 23
708	708	PUNISHABLE BY A FINE NOT EXCEED ING $250. 24
709	709
710	710	(3) A PERSON WHO IS FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR A CI VIL OFFENSE 25
711	711	UNDER THIS SECTION M AY REQUEST, AND SHALL BE GRANTED , A PENALTY OF UP TO 26
712	712	50 HOURS OF COMMUNITY S ERVICE IN LIEU OF A FINE. 27
713	713
714	714	(H) A POLICE OFFICER SHALL ISSUE A CITATION TO A PERSON WHO T HE 28
715	715	POLICE OFFICER HAS P ROBABLE CAUSE TO BEL IEVE HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION 29
716	716	OF THIS SECTION. 30
717	717
718	718	(I) (1) A VIOLATION OF THIS SE CTION IS A CIVIL OFFENSE. 31
719	719	16 SENATE BILL 692
720	720
721	721
722	722	(2) ADJUDICATION OF A VIO LATION UNDER THIS SE CTION: 1
723	723
724	724	(I) IS NOT A CRIMINAL CO NVICTION FOR ANY PUR POSE; AND 2
725	725
726	726	(II) DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY OF THE CIVIL DISABIL ITIES THAT 3
727	727	MAY RESULT FROM A CR IMINAL CONVICTION . 4
728	728
729	729	(J) (1) A CITATION ISSUED FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE 5
730	730	SIGNED BY THE POLICE OFFICER WHO ISSUES T HE CITATION AND SHAL L CONTAIN: 6
731	731
732	732	(I) THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND DATE OF BIRTH OF THE PERSON 7
733	733	CHARGED; 8
734	734
735	735	(II) THE DATE AND TIME TH AT THE VIOLATION OCC URRED; 9
736	736
737	737	(III) THE LOCATION AT WHIC H THE VIOLATION OCCU RRED; 10
738	738
739	739	(IV) THE FINE OR AMOUNT O F COMMUNITY SERVICE THAT MAY 11
740	740	BE IMPOSED; 12
741	741
742	742	(V) A NOTICE STATING THAT PREP AYMENT OF THE FINE I S 13
743	743	ALLOWED, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; AND 14
744	744
745	745	(VI) A NOTICE IN BOLDFACE TYPE THAT STATES THA T THE 15
746	746	PERSON SHALL : 16
747	747
748	748	1. PAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE PRESET FINE ; 17
749	749
750	750	2. REQUEST COMMUNITY SERVICE IN LIEU OF T HE FINE; 18
751	751	OR 19
752	752
753	753	3. REQUEST A TRIAL AT T HE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE 20
754	754	ESTABLISHED BY THE DISTRICT COURT BY WRIT OR TRIA L NOTICE. 21
755	755
756	756	(2) IF A CITATION FOR A V IOLATION OF THIS SEC TION IS ISSUED TO A 22
757	757	PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS, THE COURT SHALL SUMMON THE PER SON 23
758	758	FOR TRIAL. 24
759	759
760	760	(K) THE FORM OF THE CITAT ION SHALL BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE 25
761	761	STATE AND SHALL BE PR ESCRIBED BY THE DISTRICT COURT. 26
762	762
763	763	(L) (1) THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ESTABLISH A 27
764	764	SCHEDULE FOR THE PRE PAYMENT OF THE FINE AND PROCEDURES FOR 28 SENATE BILL 692 17
765	765
766	766
767	767	INDIVIDUALS TO REQUE ST AND BE GRANTED CO MMUNITY SERVICE IN L IEU OF A 1
768	768	FINE. 2
769	769
770	770	(2) PREPAYMENT OF A FINE OR ACCEPTANCE OF COM MUNITY 3
771	771	SERVICE IN LIEU OF A FINE SHALL BE CONSID ERED A PLEA OF GUILT Y TO A CODE 4
772	772	VIOLATION. 5
773	773
774	774	(3) A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS MAY NOT PREPAY THE 6
775	775	FINE. 7
776	776
777	777	(M) (1) A PERSON MAY REQUEST A TRIAL BY SENDING A R EQUEST FOR 8
778	778	TRIAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT IN THE JURISDIC TION WHERE THE CITAT ION WAS 9
779	779	ISSUED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUA NCE OF THE CITATION . 10
780	780
781	781	(2) IF A PERSON DOES NOT REQUEST A T RIAL, PREPAY THE FINE , OR 11
782	782	REQUEST COMMUNITY SE RVICE IN LIEU OF A F INE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE 12
783	783	ISSUANCE OF THE CITA TION, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE THE MAXIMUM FINE OR 13
784	784	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D COSTS AGAINST THE PERSON AND FIND THE PERSON 14
785	785	GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION . 15
786	786
787	787	(N) THE ISSUING JURISDICT ION SHALL FORWARD A COPY OF THE CITATION 16
788	788	AND A REQUEST FOR TR IAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT IN THE DISTRICT HAVING 17
789	789	VENUE. 18
790	790
791	791	(O) (1) THE FAILURE OF A DEFE NDANT TO RESPOND TO A SUMMONS 19
792	792	DESCRIBED IN SUBSECT ION (J)(2) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L BE GOVERNED BY § 20
793	793	5–212 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE. 21
794	794
795	795	(2) IF A PERSON AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD FAILS TO A PPEAR AFTER 22
796	796	HAVING REQUESTED A T RIAL, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE THE MAXIMUM FINE OR 23
797	797	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D COSTS AGAINST THE PERSON AND FIND THE PER SON 24
798	798	GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION . 25
799	799
800	800	(P) IN ANY PROCEEDING FOR A CODE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SECTION: 26
801	801
802	802	(1) THE STATE HAS THE BURDEN TO PROVE THE GUILT O F THE 27
803	803	DEFENDANT BY A PREPO NDERANCE OF THE EVID ENCE; 28
804	804
805	805	(2) THE COURT SHALL APPL Y THE EV IDENTIARY STANDARDS AS 29
806	806	PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR RULE FOR THE TRIAL O F A CRIMINAL CASE ; 30
807	807
808	808	(3) THE COURT SHALL ENSU RE THAT THE DEFENDAN T HAS RECEIVED 31
809	809	A COPY OF THE CHARGE S AGAINST THE DEFEND ANT AND THAT THE DEF ENDANT 32 18 SENATE BILL 692
810	810
811	811
812	812	UNDERSTANDS THOSE CH ARGES; 1
813	813
814	814	(4) THE DEFEND ANT IS ENTITLED TO C ROSS–EXAMINE ALL 2
815	815	WITNESSES WHO APPEAR AGAINST THE DEFENDAN T, TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE OR 3
816	816	WITNESSES ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT , AND TO TESTIFY ON TH E DEFENDANT ’S 4
817	817	OWN BEHALF , IF THE DEFENDANT CHO OSES TO DO SO; 5
818	818
819	819	(5) THE DEFENDANT IS ENT ITLED TO BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL 6
820	820	OF THE DEFENDANT ’S CHOICE AND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEFEN DANT; AND 7
821	821
822	822	(6) THE DEFENDANT MAY EN TER A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY, 8
823	823	AND THE VERDICT OF T HE COURT IN THE CASE SHALL BE: 9
824	824
825	825	(I) GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION ; 10
826	826
827	827	(II) NOT GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION ; OR 11
828	828
829	829	(III) PROBATION BEFORE JUD GMENT, IMPOSED BY THE COURT 12
830	830	IN THE SAME MANNER A ND TO THE SAME EXTEN T AS IS ALLOWED BY L AW IN THE 13
831	831	TRIAL OF A CRIMINAL CASE. 14
832	832
833	833	(Q) (1) THE DEFENDANT IS LIAB LE FOR THE COSTS OF THE 15
834	834	PROCEEDINGS IN THE DISTRICT COURT. 16
835	835
836	836	(2) THE COURT COSTS IN A CODE VIOLATION CASE U NDER THIS 17
837	837	SECTION IN WHICH COS TS ARE IMPOSED ARE $5. 18
838	838
839	839	(R) (1) THE STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR ANY COUN TY MAY PROSECUTE A 19
840	840	CODE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SECTION IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROSE CUTION 20
841	841	FOR A VIOLATION OF TH E CRIMINAL LAWS OF T HE STATE. 21
842	842
843	843	(2) IN A CODE VIOLATION CASE U NDER THIS SECTION , THE STATE’S 22
844	844	ATTORNEY MAY : 23
845	845
846	846	(I) ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQ UI OR MOVE TO PLACE THE CASE ON 24
847	847	THE STET DOCKET ; AND 25
848	848
849	849	(II) EXERCISE AUTHORITY I N THE SAME MANNER AS 26
850	850	PRESCRIBED BY LAW FO R VIOLATION OF THE C RIMINAL LAWS OF THE STATE. 27
851	851
852	852	(S) A PERSON ISSUED A CITA TION FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION WHO 28
853	853	IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE PROCEDURES AND 29
854	854	DISPOSITIONS PROVIDE D IN TITLE 3, SUBTITLE 8A OF THE COURTS ARTICLE. 30 SENATE BILL 692 19
855	855
856	856
857	857
858	858	(T) A CITATION FOR A VIOLA TION OF THIS SECTION AND THE OFFICIAL 1
859	859	RECORD OF A COURT RE GARDING THE CITATION ARE NOT SUBJECT TO P UBLIC 2
860	860	INSPECTION AND MAY N OT BE INCLUDED ON TH E PUBLIC WEBSITE MAI NTAINED BY 3
861	861	THE MARYLAND JUDICIARY IF: 4
862	862
863	863	(1) THE DEFENDANT HAS PR EPAID THE FINE OR PE RFORMED THE 5
864	864	COMMUNITY SERVICE ; 6
865	865
866	866	(2) THE DEFENDANT HAS PL ED GUILTY TO OR BEEN FOUND GUILTY 7
867	867	OF THE CODE VIOLATION AND HA S FULLY PAID THE FIN E OR PERFORMED THE 8
868	868	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D PAID THE COSTS IMP OSED FOR THE VIOLATION; 9
869	869
870	870	(3) THE DEFENDANT HAS RE CEIVED A PROBATION B EFORE 10
871	871	JUDGMENT AND HAS FUL LY PAID THE FINE OR PERFORMED THE COMMUN ITY 11
872	872	SERVICE AND COMPLETE D ANY TERMS IMPOSED BY THE COURT; 12
873	873
874	874	(4) THE CASE HAS BEEN RE MOVED FROM THE STET DOCKET AFTER 13
875	875	THE DEFENDANT FULLY PAID THE FINE AND COMPLETED ANY TE RMS IMPOSED BY 14
876	876	THE COURT; 15
877	877
878	878	(5) THE STATE HAS ENTERED A N OLLE PROSEQUI ; 16
879	879
880	880	(6) THE DEFENDANT HAS BE EN FOUND NOT GUILTY OF THE CHARGE ; 17
881	881	OR 18
882	882
883	883	(7) THE CHARGE HAS BEEN DISMISSED. 19
884	884
885	885	5–602. 20
886	886
887	887	(A) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person may not: 21
888	888
889	889	(1) distribute or dispense a controlled dangerous substance; or 22
890	890
891	891	(2) possess a controlled dangerous substance in sufficient quantity 23
892	892	reasonably to indicate under all circumstances an intent to distribute or dispense a 24
893	893	controlled dangerous substance. 25
894	894
895	895	(B) THERE IS A PRESUMPTIO N THAT A PERSON IN P OSSESSION OF LESS 26
896	896	THAN THE PERSONAL US E AMOUNT OF CANNABIS IS NOT IN VIOLATION OF 27
897	897	SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION WITH REGARD TO CANNABIS , IN THE ABSENCE OF 28
898	898	ANY OTHER EV IDENCE OF A VIOLATIO N OF SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. 29
899	899
900	900	5–607. 30 20 SENATE BILL 692
901	901
902	902
903	903
904	904	(a) Except as provided in §§ 5–608 and 5–609 of this subtitle AND SUBSECTION 1
905	905	(B) OF THIS SECTION , a person who violates a provision of §§ 5–602 through 5–606 of this 2
906	906	subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 3
907	907	years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both. 4
908	908
909	909	(b) (1) A VIOLATION OF A PROVIS ION OF §§ 5–602 THROUGH 5–606 OF 5
910	910	THIS SUBTITLE INVOLV ING CANNABIS IS A CI VIL OFFENSE PUNISHAB LE BY A CIVIL 6
911	911	FINE NOT EXCEEDING $250. 7
912	912
913	913	(2) A PERSON WHO IS FOUND GUILTY OF A CIVIL OFFENSE UNDE R 8
914	914	THIS SUBSECTION MAY REQUE ST, AND SHALL BE GRANTED , A PENALTY OF UP TO 30 9
915	915	HOURS OF COMMUNITY S ERVICE IN LIEU OF A FINE. 10
916	916
917	917	(C) A person convicted under this section is not prohibited from participating in a 11
918	918	drug treatment program under § 8–507 of the Health – General Article because of the 12
919	919	length of the sentence. 13
920	920
921	921	5–607.1. 14
922	922
923	923	(A) A POLICE OFFICER SHALL ISSUE A CITATION TO A PERSON WHO THE 15
924	924	POLICE OFFICER HAS P ROBABLE CAUSE TO BEL IEVE HAS COMMITTED A VIOLATION 16
925	925	OF A PROVISION OF §§ 5–602 THROUGH 5–606 OF THIS SUBTITLE INV OLVING 17
926	926	CANNABIS. 18
927	927
928	928	(B) (1) A VIOLATION OF A PROVISION OF §§ 5–602 THROUGH 5–606 OF 19
929	929	THIS SUBTITLE INVOLV ING CANNABIS IS A CIVIL OFFENSE. 20
930	930
931	931	(2) ADJUDICATION OF A VIO LATION OF A PROVISION OF §§ 5–602 21
932	932	THROUGH 5–606 OF THIS SUBTITLE INV OLVING CANNABIS : 22
933	933
934	934	(I) IS NOT A CRIMINAL CO NVICTION FOR ANY PUR POSE; AND 23
935	935
936	936	(II) DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY OF TH E CIVIL DISABILITIES THAT 24
937	937	MAY RESULT FROM A CR IMINAL CONVICTION . 25
938	938
939	939	(C) (1) A CITATION ISSUED FOR A VIOLATION OF A PROVISION OF §§ 26
940	940	5–602 THROUGH 5–606 OF THIS SUBTITLE INV OLVING CANNABIS SHALL BE SIGNED 27
941	941	BY THE POLICE OFFICE R WHO ISSUES THE CITATION AND SHA LL CONTAIN: 28
942	942
943	943	(I) THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND DATE OF BIRTH OF THE PERSON 29
944	944	CHARGED; 30
945	945
946	946	(II) THE DATE AND TIME TH AT THE VIOLATION OCC URRED; 31 SENATE BILL 692 21
947	947
948	948
949	949
950	950	(III) THE LOCATION AT WHIC H THE VIOLATION OCCU RRED; 1
951	951
952	952	(IV) THE FINE OR AMOUNT O F COMMUNITY SE RVICE THAT MAY 2
953	953	BE IMPOSED; 3
954	954
955	955	(V) A NOTICE STATING THA T PREPAYMENT OF THE FINE IS 4
956	956	ALLOWED, EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; AND 5
957	957
958	958	(VI) A NOTICE IN BOLDFACE TYPE THAT STATES THA T THE 6
959	959	PERSON SHALL : 7
960	960
961	961	1. PAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE PRESET FINE; 8
962	962
963	963	2. REQUEST COMMUNITY SE RVICE IN LIEU OF THE FINE; 9
964	964	OR 10
965	965
966	966	3. REQUEST A TRIAL AT T HE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE 11
967	967	ESTABLISHED BY THE DISTRICT COURT BY WRIT OR TRIA L NOTICE. 12
968	968
969	969	(2) IF A CITATION FOR A V IOLATION OF THIS SEC TION IS ISSUED TO A 13
970	970	PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS, THE COURT SHALL SUMM ON THE PERSON 14
971	971	FOR TRIAL. 15
972	972
973	973	(D) THE FORM OF THE CITAT ION SHALL BE UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE 16
974	974	STATE AND SHALL BE PR ESCRIBED BY THE DISTRICT COURT. 17
975	975
976	976	(E) (1) THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT COURT SHALL ESTABLISH A 18
977	977	SCHEDULE FOR THE PRE PAYMENT OF THE FINE AND PROCEDURES FOR 19
978	978	INDIVIDUALS TO REQUE ST AND BE GRANTED CO MMUNITY SERVICE IN L IEU OF A 20
979	979	FINE. 21
980	980
981	981	(2) PREPAYMENT OF A FINE OR ACCEPTANCE OF COM MUNITY 22
982	982	SERVICE IN LIEU OF A FINE SHALL BE CONSID ERED A PLEA OF GUILT Y TO A CODE 23
983	983	VIOLATION. 24
984	984
985	985	(3) A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 YEARS MAY NOT PREPAY THE 25
986	986	FINE. 26
987	987
988	988	(F) (1) A PERSON MAY REQUEST A TRIAL BY SENDING A R EQUEST FOR 27
989	989	TRIAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT IN THE JURISDIC TION WHERE THE CITAT ION WAS 28
990	990	ISSUED WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE ISSU ANCE OF THE CITATION . 29
991	991	22 SENATE BILL 692
992	992
993	993
994	994	(2) IF A PERSON DOES NOT REQUEST A TRIAL , PREPAY THE FINE , OR 1
995	995	REQUEST COMMUNITY SE RVICE IN LIEU OF A F INE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE 2
996	996	ISSUANCE OF THE CITA TION, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE THE MAXIMUM FINE OR 3
997	997	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D COSTS AGAIN ST THE PERSON AND FI ND THE PERSON 4
998	998	GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION . 5
999	999
1000	1000	(G) THE ISSUING JURISDICT ION SHALL FORWARD A COPY OF THE CITATION 6
1001	1001	AND A REQUEST FOR TR IAL TO THE DISTRICT COURT IN THE DISTRICT HAVING 7
1002	1002	VENUE. 8
1003	1003
1004	1004	(H) (1) THE FAILURE OF A DEFE NDANT TO RESPOND TO A SUMMONS 9
1005	1005	DESCRIBED IN SUBSECT ION (C)(2) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L BE GOVERNED BY § 10
1006	1006	5–212 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ARTICLE. 11
1007	1007
1008	1008	(2) IF A PERSON AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD FAILS TO A PPEAR AFTER 12
1009	1009	HAVING REQUESTED A T RIAL, THE COURT MAY IMPOSE THE MAXIMUM FINE OR 13
1010	1010	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D COSTS AGAINST THE PERSON AND FIND THE PERSON 14
1011	1011	GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION . 15
1012	1012
1013	1013	(I) IN ANY PROCEEDING FOR A CODE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SECTION: 16
1014	1014
1015	1015	(1) THE STATE HAS THE BURDEN TO PROVE THE GUILT O F THE 17
1016	1016	DEFENDANT BY A PREPO NDERANCE OF THE EV IDENCE; 18
1017	1017
1018	1018	(2) THE COURT SHALL APPL Y THE EVIDENTIARY ST ANDARDS AS 19
1019	1019	PRESCRIBED BY LAW OR RULE FOR THE TRIAL O F A CRIMINAL CASE ; 20
1020	1020
1021	1021	(3) THE COURT SHALL ENSU RE THAT THE DEFENDAN T HAS RECEIVED 21
1022	1022	A COPY OF THE CHARGE S AGAINST THE DEFEND ANT AND THAT THE DEF ENDANT 22
1023	1023	UNDERSTANDS THOSE CHA RGES; 23
1024	1024
1025	1025	(4) THE DEFENDANT IS ENT ITLED TO CROSS –EXAMINE ALL 24
1026	1026	WITNESSES WHO APPEAR AGAINST THE DEFENDAN T, TO PRODUCE EVIDENCE OR 25
1027	1027	WITNESSES ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENDANT , AND TO TESTIFY ON TH E DEFENDANT ’S 26
1028	1028	OWN BEHALF , IF THE DEFENDANT CHO OSES TO DO SO; 27
1029	1029
1030	1030	(5) THE DEFENDANT IS ENT ITLED TO BE REPRESEN TED BY COUNSEL 28
1031	1031	OF THE DEFENDANT ’S CHOICE AND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEFEN DANT; AND 29
1032	1032
1033	1033	(6) THE DEFENDANT MAY EN TER A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY, 30
1034	1034	AND THE VERDICT OF T HE COURT IN THE CASE SHALL BE: 31
1035	1035
1036	1036	(I) GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION ; 32 SENATE BILL 692 23
1037	1037
1038	1038
1039	1039
1040	1040	(II) NOT GUILTY OF A CODE VIOLATION ; OR 1
1041	1041
1042	1042	(III) PROBATION BEFORE JUD GMENT, IMPOSED BY THE COURT 2
1043	1043	IN THE SAME MANNER A ND TO THE SAME EXTEN T AS IS ALLOWED BY L AW IN THE 3
1044	1044	TRIAL OF A CRIMINAL CASE. 4
1045	1045
1046	1046	(J) (1) THE DEFENDANT I S LIABLE FOR THE COS TS OF THE 5
1047	1047	PROCEEDINGS IN THE DISTRICT COURT. 6
1048	1048
1049	1049	(2) THE COURT COSTS IN A CODE VIOLATION CASE U NDER THIS 7
1050	1050	SECTION IN WHICH COS TS ARE IMPOSED ARE $5. 8
1051	1051
1052	1052	(K) (1) THE STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR ANY COUN TY MAY PROSECUTE A 9
1053	1053	CODE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SECTION IN THE SAME MANNER AS PROSECUTIO N 10
1054	1054	FOR A VIOLATION OF T HE CRIMINAL LAWS OF THE STATE. 11
1055	1055
1056	1056	(2) IN A CODE VIOLATION CASE U NDER THIS SECTION , THE STATE’S 12
1057	1057	ATTORNEY MAY : 13
1058	1058
1059	1059	(I) ENTER A NOLLE PROSEQ UI OR MOVE TO PLACE THE CASE ON 14
1060	1060	THE STET DOCKET ; AND 15
1061	1061
1062	1062	(II) EXERCISE AUTHORITY I N THE SAME MANNER AS 16
1063	1063	PRESCRIBED BY LAW FO R VIOLATION OF THE C RIMINAL LAWS OF THE STATE. 17
1064	1064
1065	1065	(L) A PERSON ISSUED A CITA TION FOR A VIOLATION OF A PROVISION OF §§ 18
1066	1066	5–602 THROUGH 5–606 OF THIS SUBTITLE INV OLVING CANNABIS WHO IS UNDER THE 19
1067	1067	AGE OF 18 YEARS SHALL BE SUBJE CT TO THE PROCEDURES AND DISPOSITIONS 20
1068	1068	PROVIDED IN TITLE 3, SUBTITLE 8A OF THE COURTS ARTICLE. 21
1069	1069
1070	1070	(M) A CITATION FOR A VIOLA TION OF A PROVISION OF §§ 5–602 THROUGH 22
1071	1071	5–606 OF THIS SUBTITLE INV OLVING CANNABIS AND THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF A 23
1072	1072	COURT REGARDING THE CITATION ARE NOT SUB JECT TO PUBLIC INSPE CTION AND 24
1073	1073	MAY NOT BE INCLUDED ON THE PUBLIC WEBSIT E MAINTAINED BY THE MARYLAND 25
1074	1074	JUDICIARY IF: 26
1075	1075
1076	1076	(1) THE DEFENDANT HAS PR EPAID THE FINE OR PE RFORMED THE 27
1077	1077	COMMUNITY SERVICE ; 28
1078	1078
1079	1079	(2) THE DEFENDANT HAS PL ED GUILTY TO OR BEEN FOUND GUILTY 29
1080	1080	OF THE CODE VIOLATION AND HA S FULLY PAID THE FIN E OR PERFORMED THE 30
1081	1081	COMMUNITY SERVICE AN D PAID THE COSTS IMP OSED FOR THE VIOLATI ON; 31 24 SENATE BILL 692
1082	1082
1083	1083
1084	1084
1085	1085	(3) THE DEFENDANT HAS RE CEIVED A PROBATION B EFORE 1
1086	1086	JUDGMENT A ND HAS FULLY PAID TH E FINE OR PERFORMED THE COMMUNITY 2
1087	1087	SERVICE AND COMPLETE D ANY TERMS IMPOSED BY THE COURT; 3
1088	1088
1089	1089	(4) THE CASE HAS BEEN RE MOVED FROM THE STET DOCKET AFTER 4
1090	1090	THE DEFENDANT FULLY PAID THE FINE AND CO MPLETED ANY TERMS IM POSED BY 5
1091	1091	THE COURT; 6
1092	1092
1093	1093	(5) THE STATE HAS ENTERED A N OLLE PROSEQUI ; 7
1094	1094
1095	1095	(6) THE DEFENDANT HAS BE EN FOUND NOT GUILTY OF THE CHARGE ; 8
1096	1096	OR 9
1097	1097
1098	1098	(7) THE CHARGE HAS BEEN DISMISSED. 10
1099	1099
1100	1100	5–612. 11
1101	1101
1102	1102	(a) A person may not manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess: 12
1103	1103
1104	1104	(1) 50 pounds or more of [marijuana] CANNABIS; 13
1105	1105
1106	1106	(2) 448 grams or more of cocaine; 14
1107	1107
1108	1108	(3) 448 grams or more of any mixture containing a detectable amount, as 15
1109	1109	scientifically measured using representative sampling methodology, of cocaine; 16
1110	1110
1111	1111	(4) 448 grams or more of cocaine base, commonly known as “crack”; 17
1112	1112
1113	1113	(5) 28 grams or more of morphine or opium or any derivative, salt, isomer, 18
1114	1114	or salt of an isomer of morphine or opium; 19
1115	1115
1116	1116	(6) 28 grams or more of any mixture containing a detectable amount, as 20
1117	1117	scientifically measured using representative sampling methodology, of morphine or opium 21
1118	1118	or any derivative, salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer of morphine or opium; 22
1119	1119
1120	1120	(7) 5 grams or more of fentanyl or any structural variation of fentanyl that 23
1121	1121	is scheduled by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration; 24
1122	1122
1123	1123	(8) 28 grams or more of any mixture containing a detectable amount, as 25
1124	1124	scientifically measured using representative sampling methodology, of fentanyl or any 26
1125	1125	structural variation of fentanyl that is scheduled by the United States Drug Enforcement 27
1126	1126	Administration; 28
1127	1127
1128	1128	(9) 1,000 dosage units or more of lysergic acid diethylamide; 29
1129	1129	SENATE BILL 692 25
1130	1130
1131	1131
1132	1132	(10) any mixture containing the equivalent of 1,000 dosage units of lysergic 1
1133	1133	acid diethylamide; 2
1134	1134
1135	1135	(11) 16 ounces or more of phencyclidine in liquid form; 3
1136	1136
1137	1137	(12) 448 grams or more of any mixture containing a detectable amount, as 4
1138	1138	scientifically measured using representative sampling methodology, of phencyclidine; 5
1139	1139
1140	1140	(13) 448 grams or more of methamphetamine; or 6
1141	1141
1142	1142	(14) 448 grams or more of any mixture containing a detectable amount, as 7
1143	1143	scientifically measured using representative sampling methodology, of methamphetamine. 8
1144	1144
1145	1145	(b) For the purpose of determining the quantity of a controlled dangerous 9
1146	1146	substance involved in individual acts of manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or 10
1147	1147	possessing under subsection (a) of this section, the acts may be aggregated if each of the 11
1148	1148	acts occurred within a 90–day period. 12
1149	1149
1150	1150	(c) (1) A person who is convicted of a violation of subsection (a) of this section 13
1151	1151	shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 5 years and is subject to a fine not 14
1152	1152	exceeding $100,000. 15
1153	1153
1154	1154	(2) The court may not suspend any part of the mandatory minimum 16
1155	1155	sentence of 5 years. 17
1156	1156
1157	1157	(3) Except as provided in § 4–305 of the Correctional Services Article, the 18
1158	1158	person is not eligible for parole during the mandatory minimum sentence. 19
1159	1159
1160	1160	5–614. 20
1161	1161
1162	1162	(a) (1) Unless authorized by law to possess the substance, a person may not 21
1163	1163	bring into the State: 22
1164	1164
1165	1165	(i) 45 kilograms or more of [marijuana] CANNABIS; 23
1166	1166
1167	1167	(ii) 28 grams or more of cocaine; 24
1168	1168
1169	1169	(iii) any mixture containing 28 grams or more of cocaine; 25
1170	1170
1171	1171	(iv) 4 grams or more of morphine or opium or any derivative, salt, 26
1172	1172	isomer, or salt of an isomer of morphine or opium; 27
1173	1173
1174	1174	(v) 1,000 dosage units of lysergic acid diethylamide; 28
1175	1175
1176	1176	(vi) any mixture containing the equivalent of 1,000 dosage units of 29
1177	1177	lysergic acid diethylamide; 30
1178	1178	26 SENATE BILL 692
1179	1179
1180	1180
1181	1181	(vii) 28 grams or more of phencyclidine in liquid or powder form; 1
1182	1182
1183	1183	(viii) 112 grams or more of any mixture containing phencyclidine; 2
1184	1184
1185	1185	(ix) 1,000 dosage units or more of methaqualone; 3
1186	1186
1187	1187	(x) 28 grams or more of methamphetamine; 4
1188	1188
1189	1189	(xi) any mixture containing 28 grams or more of methamphetamine; 5
1190	1190	or 6
1191	1191
1192	1192	(xii) 4 grams or more of fentanyl or a fentanyl analogue. 7
1193	1193
1194	1194	(2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony and on 8
1195	1195	conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $50,000 9
1196	1196	or both. 10
1197	1197
1198	1198	(b) (1) Unless authorized by law to possess the [marijuana] CANNABIS, a 11
1199	1199	person may not bring into the State more than 5 kilograms but less than 45 kilograms of 12
1200	1200	[marijuana] CANNABIS. 13
1201	1201
1202	1202	(2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony and on 14
1203	1203	conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 15
1204	1204	or both. 16
1205	1205
1206	1206	5–619. 17
1207	1207
1208	1208	(c) (1) [This subsection does not apply to the use or possession of drug 18
1209	1209	paraphernalia involving the use or possession of marijuana. 19
1210	1210
1211	1211	(2)] Unless authorized under this title, a person may not use or possess with 20
1212	1212	intent to use drug paraphernalia to: 21
1213	1213
1214	1214	(i) plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, 22
1215	1215	compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, pack, repack, store, contain, or conceal a 23
1216	1216	controlled dangerous substance; or 24
1217	1217
1218	1218	(ii) inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body 25
1219	1219	a controlled dangerous substance. 26
1220	1220
1221	1221	[(3)] (2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor 27
1222	1222	and on conviction is subject to: 28
1223	1223
1224	1224	(i) for a first violation, a fine not exceeding $500; and 29
1225	1225
1226	1226	(ii) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 2 30
1227	1227	years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both. 31 SENATE BILL 692 27
1228	1228
1229	1229
1230	1230
1231	1231	[(4)] (3) A person who is convicted of violating this subsection for the first 1
1232	1232	time and who previously has been convicted of violating subsection (d)(4) of this section is 2
1233	1233	subject to the penalty specified under paragraph [(3)(ii)] (2)(II) of this subsection. 3
1234	1234
1235	1235	5–620. 4
1236	1236
1237	1237	(a) Unless authorized under this title, a person may not: 5
1238	1238
1239	1239	(1) obtain or attempt to obtain controlled paraphernalia by: 6
1240	1240
1241	1241	(i) fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge; 7
1242	1242
1243	1243	(ii) counterfeiting a prescription or a written order; 8
1244	1244
1245	1245	(iii) concealing a material fact or the use of a false name or address; 9
1246	1246
1247	1247	(iv) falsely assuming the title of or representing to be a 10
1248	1248	manufacturer, distributor, or authorized provider; or 11
1249	1249
1250	1250	(v) making or issuing a false or counterfeit prescription or written 12
1251	1251	order; or 13
1252	1252
1253	1253	(2) possess or distribute controlled paraphernalia under circumstances 14
1254	1254	which reasonably indicate an intention to use the controlled paraphernalia for purposes of 15
1255	1255	illegally administering a controlled dangerous substance. 16
1256	1256
1257	1257	(b) Evidence of circumstances that reasonably indicate an intent to use controlled 17
1258	1258	paraphernalia to manufacture, administer, distribute, or dispense a controlled dangerous 18
1259	1259	substance unlawfully include the close proximity of the controlled paraphernalia to an 19
1260	1260	adulterant, diluent, or equipment commonly used to illegally manufacture, administer, 20
1261	1261	distribute, or dispense controlled dangerous substances, including: 21
1262	1262
1263	1263	(1) a scale; 22
1264	1264
1265	1265	(2) a sieve; 23
1266	1266
1267	1267	(3) a strainer; 24
1268	1268
1269	1269	(4) a measuring spoon; 25
1270	1270
1271	1271	(5) staples; 26
1272	1272
1273	1273	(6) a stapler; 27
1274	1274
1275	1275	(7) a glassine envelope; 28
1276	1276	28 SENATE BILL 692
1277	1277
1278	1278
1279	1279	(8) a gelatin capsule; 1
1280	1280
1281	1281	(9) procaine hydrochloride; 2
1282	1282
1283	1283	(10) mannitol; 3
1284	1284
1285	1285	(11) lactose; 4
1286	1286
1287	1287	(12) quinine; and 5
1288	1288
1289	1289	(13) a controlled dangerous substance. 6
1290	1290
1291	1291	(c) Information that is communicated to a physician to obtain controlled 7
1292	1292	paraphernalia from the physician in violation of this subtitle is not a privileged 8
1293	1293	communication. 9
1294	1294
1295	1295	(d) [(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a] A person who 10
1296	1296	violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment 11
1297	1297	not exceeding 4 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both. 12
1298	1298
1299	1299	[(2) A person who violates this section involving the use or possession of 13
1300	1300	marijuana is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 14
1301	1301	or both.] 15
1302	1302
1303	1303	5–629. 16
1304	1304
1305	1305	THE OFFENSES AND PENA LTIES IN THIS SUBTIT LE DO NOT APPLY TO 17
1306	1306	ACTIVITIES RELATED T O CANNABIS OR CANNAB IS ACCESSORIES THAT ARE LEGAL 18
1307	1307	UNDER: 19
1308	1308
1309	1309	(1) TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE; OR 20
1310	1310
1311	1311	(2) TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 21
1312	1312
1313	1313	10–113. 22
1314	1314
1315	1315	An individual may not knowingly and willfully make a misrepresentation or false 23
1316	1316	statement as to the age of that individual or another to any person licensed to sell alcoholic 24
1317	1317	beverages OR CANNABIS or engaged in the sale of alcoholic beverages OR CANNABIS , for 25
1318	1318	the purpose of unlawfully obtaining, procuring, or having unlawfully furnished an alcoholic 26
1319	1319	beverage OR CANNABIS to an individual. 27
1320	1320
1321	1321	10–116. 28
1322	1322
1323	1323	An individual may not obtain, or attempt to obtain by purchase or otherwise, an 29
1324	1324	alcoholic beverage OR CANNABIS from any person licensed to sell alcoholic beverages OR 30 SENATE BILL 692 29
1325	1325
1326	1326
1327	1327	CANNABIS for consumption by another who the individual obtaining or attempting to 1
1328	1328	obtain the beverage OR CANNAB IS knows is under the age of 21 years. 2
1329	1329
1330	1330	10–117. 3
1331	1331
1332	1332	(a) Except as provided in [subsection (c)] SUBSECTIONS (C) AND (D) of this 4
1333	1333	section, a person may not furnish an alcoholic beverage, CANNABIS, OR CANNABIS 5
1334	1334	ACCESSORIES AS DEFIN ED IN § 23–101 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE to an 6
1335	1335	individual if: 7
1336	1336
1337	1337	(1) the person furnishing the alcoholic beverage, CANNABIS, OR 8
1338	1338	CANNABIS ACCESSORIES knows that the individual is under the age of 21 years; and 9
1339	1339
1340	1340	(2) the alcoholic beverage [is], CANNABIS, OR CANNABIS ACCESSOR IES 10
1341	1341	ARE furnished for the purpose of consumption by the individual under the age of 21 years. 11
1342	1342
1343	1343	(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an adult may not 12
1344	1344	knowingly and willfully allow an individual under the age of 21 years actually to possess 13
1345	1345	or consume an alcoholic beverage OR CANNABIS at a residence, or within the curtilage of 14
1346	1346	a residence that the adult owns or leases and in which the adult resides. 15
1347	1347
1348	1348	(c) (1) The prohibition set forth in subsection (a) of this section does not apply 16
1349	1349	if [the] A person furnishing [the] AN alcoholic beverage and the individual to whom the 17
1350	1350	alcoholic beverage is furnished: 18
1351	1351
1352	1352	(i) are members of the same immediate family, and the alcoholic 19
1353	1353	beverage is furnished and consumed in a private residence or within the curtilage of the 20
1354	1354	residence; or 21
1355	1355
1356	1356	(ii) are participants in a religious ceremony. 22
1357	1357
1358	1358	(2) The prohibition set forth in subsection (b) of this section does not apply 23
1359	1359	if [the] AN adult allowing the possession or consumption of [the] AN alcoholic beverage and 24
1360	1360	the individual under the age of 21 years who possesses or consumes the alcoholic beverage: 25
1361	1361
1362	1362	(i) are members of the same immediate family, and the alcoholic 26
1363	1363	beverage is possessed and consumed in a private residence, or within the curtilage of the 27
1364	1364	residence, of the adult; or 28
1365	1365
1366	1366	(ii) are participants in a religious ceremony. 29
1367	1367
1368	1368	(d) THE PROHIBITIONS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTIONS (A) AND (B) OF THIS 30
1369	1369	SECTION DO NOT APPLY IN THE CASE OF AN IN DIVIDUAL UNDER THE A GE OF 21 31
1370	1370	YEARS WHO IS ALLOWED TO POSSESS CANNABIS AND CANNABI S ACCESSORIES 32
1371	1371	UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 33
1372	1372	30 SENATE BILL 692
1373	1373
1374	1374
1375	1375	(E) A person may not violate subsection (a) or (b) of this section if the violation 1
1376	1376	involves an individual under the age of 21 years who: 2
1377	1377
1378	1378	(1) the person knew or reasonably should have known would operate a 3
1379	1379	motor vehicle after consuming the alcoholic beverage OR CANNABIS; and 4
1380	1380
1381	1381	(2) as a result of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of 5
1382	1382	alcohol or while impaired by alcohol OR CANNABIS, causes serious physical injury or death 6
1383	1383	to the individual or another. 7
1384	1384
1385	1385	Article – Criminal Procedure 8
1386	1386
1387	1387	1–211. 9
1388	1388
1389	1389	(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, A FINDING 10
1390	1390	OR DETERMINATION OF REASONABLE SUSPICION OR PROBABLE CAUSE RELATING 11
1391	1391	TO POSSESSION OF CON TRABAND OR OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY MA Y NOT BE BASED 12
1392	1392	SOLELY ON EVIDENCE O F: 13
1393	1393
1394	1394	(1) THE ODOR OF CANNABIS ; 14
1395	1395
1396	1396	(2) THE ODOR OF BURNT CA NNABIS; 15
1397	1397
1398	1398	(3) THE POSSESSION OF OR SUSPICION OF POSSESS ION OF CANNABIS ; 16
1399	1399	OR 17
1400	1400
1401	1401	(4) THE PRESENCE OF MONE Y IN PROXIMITY TO CA NNABIS. 18
1402	1402
1403	1403	(B) SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY WHEN A LAW 19
1404	1404	ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IS INVESTIGATING WHE THER A PERSON IS DRI VING, 20
1405	1405	OPERATING, OR CONTROLLING A MOT OR VEHICLE OR VESSEL WHILE IMPAIRED BY 21
1406	1406	DRUGS, EXCEPT THAT THE ODOR OF CANNABIS MAY NOT BE THE BASIS FOR FIN DING 22
1407	1407	PROBABLE CAUSE TO JU STIFY THE SEARCH OF AN AREA OF A VEHICLE OR VESSEL 23
1408	1408	THAT IS NOT: 24
1409	1409
1410	1410	(1) READILY ACCESSIBLE T O THE DRIVER OR OPER ATOR; OR 25
1411	1411
1412	1412	(2) REASONABLY LIKELY TO CONTAIN EVIDENCE REL EVANT TO THE 26
1413	1413	CONDITION OF THE DRI VER OR OPERATOR . 27
1414	1414
1415	1415	8–303. 28
1416	1416
1417	1417	(A) (1) A CONVICTION OF POSSESSION OF CAN NABIS UNDER § 5–601 OF 29
1418	1418	THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, POSSESSION OF CANNAB IS PARAPHERNALIA UNDER 30 SENATE BILL 692 31
1419	1419
1420	1420
1421	1421	§ 5–619 OR § 5–620 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, POSSESSION WITH INTE NT TO 1
1422	1422	DISTRIBUTE CANNABIS UNDER § 5–602 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, 2
1423	1423	MANUFACTURING CANNAB IS, OR DISTRIBUTION OF C ANNABIS ENTERED BEFORE 3
1424	1424	JULY 1, 2022, SHALL BE AUTOMATICAL LY VACATED ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2023. 4
1425	1425
1426	1426	(2) A FORMER CONVICTION THAT HAS BEEN VACATED UNDER THIS 5
1427	1427	SUBSECTION MAY NOT BE CONSIDERE D A CONVICTIO N FOR ANY PURPOSE . 6
1428	1428
1429	1429	(B) (1) A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME , OR 7
1430	1430	ADJUDICATED DELINQUE NT FOR AN OFFENSE THAT WOUL D BE A CRIME IN ADUL T 8
1431	1431	COURT, MAY REQUEST THAT ANY CONVICTION BE VACATED OR REQUES T A NEW 9
1432	1432	TRIAL WHERE A CONVICTION OR DELINQUENT FINDING WAS BASED IN WHOLE OR IN 10
1433	1433	PART ON EVIDENCE GAT HERED DURING A SEARC H OR SEIZURE FOR WHI CH 11
1434	1434	REASONABLE SUSPICION OR PROBABLE CAUSE WAS BASED ON: 12
1435	1435
1436	1436	(I) THE ODOR OF CANNABIS ; 13
1437	1437
1438	1438	(II) THE ODOR OF BURNT CA NNABIS; 14
1439	1439
1440	1440	(III) THE POSSESSION OF OR SUSPICION OF POSSESSION OF 15
1441	1441	CANNABIS; OR 16
1442	1442
1443	1443	(IV) THE PRESENCE OF MONE Y IN PROXIMITY TO CA NNABIS. 17
1444	1444
1445	1445	(2) THE COURT SHALL GRANT A TIMELY REQUEST FOR 18
1446	1446	RECONSIDERATION MADE UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N. 19
1447	1447
1448	1448	(C) (1) A PERSON REQUESTING VA CATUR OR A NEW TRIAL BECAUSE THE 20
1449	1449	PERSON’S CONVICTION WAS BAS ED ON EVIDENCE GATHE RED DURING A SEARCH OR 21
1450	1450	SEIZURE FOR WHICH RE ASONABLE SUSPICION O R PROBABLE CAUSE WAS BASED ON 22
1451	1451	FACTORS LISTED IN SUBSECTION (B)(1) OF THIS SECTION SHAL L FILE A PETITION 23
1452	1452	THAT: 24
1453	1453
1454	1454	(I) IS IN WRITING; 25
1455	1455
1456	1456	(II) STATES IN DETAIL THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE PETITION 26
1457	1457	IS BASED, INCLUDING: 27
1458	1458
1459	1459	1. THE EVIDENCE THAT WOU LD HAVE BEEN 28
1460	1460	SUPPRESSED ; AND 29
1461	1461
1462	1462	2. THE RELEVANT CONSTITU TIONAL STANDARD ; 30
1463	1463	32 SENATE BILL 692
1464	1464
1465	1465
1466	1466	(III) IS ACCOMPANIED BY OR CONTAINS A REQUEST FOR A 1
1467	1467	HEARING IF A HEARING IS SOUGHT; AND 2
1468	1468
1469	1469	(IV) IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE TR ANSCRIPTS FROM ALL P RIOR 3
1470	1470	RELEVANT PROCEEDINGS . 4
1471	1471
1472	1472	(2) A PERSON FILING A PETI TION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS 5
1473	1473	SUBSECTION SHALL NOTIFY THE STATE IN WRITING OF T HE FILING OF THE 6
1474	1474	PETITION AND SERVE T HE STATE WITH A COPY OF THE PETITION AND 7
1475	1475	ACCOMPANYING TRANSCR IPTS. 8
1476	1476
1477	1477	(3) THE STATE MAY FILE A RESP ONSE TO THE PETITION WITHIN 60 9
1478	1478	DAYS AFTER RECEIPT O F THE NOTICE REQUIRE D UNDER PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS 10
1479	1479	SUBSECTION OR WITHIN THE PERIOD OF TIME T HAT THE COURT ORDERS . 11
1480	1480
1481	1481	(4) (I) BEFORE A HEARING IS H ELD ON A PETITION FI LED UNDER 12
1482	1482	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE VICTIM OR VICTIM ’S REPRESENTATIVE 13
1483	1483	SHALL BE NOTIFIED OF THE HEARING AS PROVI DED UNDER § 11–104 OR § 11–503 14
1484	1484	OF THIS ARTICLE. 15
1485	1485
1486	1486	(II) THE VICTIM OR VICTIM’S REPRESENTATIVE HAS THE RIGHT 16
1487	1487	TO ATTEND THE HEARING ON THE PETITION AS PROVIDED UNDER § 11–102 OF THIS 17
1488	1488	ARTICLE. 18
1489	1489
1490	1490	(5) THE COURT SHALL HOLD A HEARING IF THE PERSON FILING TH E 19
1491	1491	PETITION REQUESTS A HEARING AND THE PETITION SATISFI ES THE REQUIREMENTS 20
1492	1492	OF PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 21
1493	1493
1494	1494	(6) (I) IF THE COURT FINDS TH AT, BUT FOR RELIANCE ON THE 22
1495	1495	FACTORS LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION, THE EVIDENCE IN 23
1496	1496	SUPPORT OF THE CONVI CTION WOULD BE EXCLUDED IN WHOLE OR IN PART UNDER 24
1497	1497	THE RELEVANT CONSTIT UTIONAL STANDARD , THE COURT SHALL: 25
1498	1498
1499	1499	1. SET ASIDE THE VERDICT ; OR 26
1500	1500
1501	1501	2. GRANT A NEW TRIAL . 27
1502	1502
1503	1503	(II) THE REMEDIES LISTED IN SUBPAR AGRAPH (I) OF THIS 28
1504	1504	PARAGRAPH ARE AVAILABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE PERSON FILING THE 29
1505	1505	PETITION PREVIOUSLY LITIGATED A SUPPRESSION ISSUE BEFORE BEING 30
1506	1506	CONVICTED. 31
1507	1507
1508	1508	(III) THE COURT SHALL STATE THE REASONS FOR ITS RULING ON 32 SENATE BILL 692 33
1509	1509
1510	1510
1511	1511	THE RECORD. 1
1512	1512
1513	1513	(7) AN APPEAL MAY BE TAKE N BY EITHER PARTY FR OM AN ORDER 2
1514	1514	ENTERED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. 3
1515	1515
1516	1516	(8) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 4
1517	1517	PARAGRAPH , A PETITION FILED UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION MUST 5
1518	1518	BE FILED BY DECEMBER 31, 2025. 6
1519	1519
1520	1520	(II) THE COURT MAY CONSIDER A PETITION FILED AFTER 7
1521	1521	DECEMBER 31, 2025, FOR GOOD CAUSE SHOWN . 8
1522	1522
1523	1523	(9) A PERSON WHOSE CONVICT ION IS SUBJECT TO A DIRECT APPEAL 9
1524	1524	FOR WHICH A FINAL DI SPOSITION HAS NOT BE EN REACHED MAY FILE A PETITION 10
1525	1525	UNDER THIS SECTION . 11
1526	1526
1527	1527	10–105.3. 12
1528	1528
1529	1529	(A) IN THIS SECTION, “PERSONAL USE AMOUNT ” HAS THE MEANING STATED 13
1530	1530	IN § 5–101 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE. 14
1531	1531
1532	1532	(B) (1) THE LEGALIZATION OF P OSSESSION AND CULTIV ATION OF A 15
1533	1533	PERSONAL USE AMOUNT OF CANNABIS BY PERSO NS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD UNDER 16
1534	1534	TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE IS RETROACTIV E. 17
1535	1535
1536	1536	(2) ALL CHARGES PENDING O N JULY 1, 2022, FOR POSSESSION , 18
1537	1537	POSSESSION WITH INTE NT TO DISTRIBUTE , OR CULTIVATION OF A PERSONAL USE 19
1538	1538	AMOUNT OF CANNABIS B Y A PERSON WHO IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD SHALL BE 20
1539	1539	DISMISSED. 21
1540	1540
1541	1541	(3) (I) A PERSON INCARCERATED OR UNDER SUPERVISIO N ON OR 22
1542	1542	AFTER JULY 1, 2022, FOR AN OFFENSE INVOL VING THE POSSESSION , POSSESSION 23
1543	1543	WITH INTENT TO DISTR IBUTE, OR CULTIVATION OF A PERSONAL USE AMOUNT OF 24
1544	1544	CANNABIS MAY PRESENT AN APPLICATION FOR R ELEASE TO THE COURT THAT 25
1545	1545	SENTENCED THE PERSON . 26
1546	1546
1547	1547	(II) 1. THE COURT SHALL GRANT TH E PETITION AND 27
1548	1548	VACATE THE CONVICTIO N. 28
1549	1549
1550	1550	2. IF THE PERSON IS NOT SERVING A CONCURRENT OR 29
1551	1551	CONSECUTIVE SENTENCE FOR ANOTHER OFFENSE , THE PERSON SHALL BE 30
1552	1552	RELEASED FROM INCARC ERATION OR SUPERVISI ON. 31
1553	1553	34 SENATE BILL 692
1554	1554
1555	1555
1556	1556	(C) (1) A PERSON INCARCERATED OR UNDER SUPERVISION ON JULY 1, 1
1557	1557	2022, FOR AN OFFENSE INVOL VING THE POSSESSION , POSSESSION WITH INTE NT TO 2
1558	1558	DISTRIBUTE, CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, OR SALE OF CANNABIS MAY PRESENT AN 3
1559	1559	APPLICATION FOR RESE NTENCING TO THE COUR T THAT SENTENCED THE PERSON 4
1560	1560	REGARDLESS OF WHET HER THE PERSON HAS P REVIOUSLY FILED A PE TITION FOR 5
1561	1561	RESENTENCING . 6
1562	1562
1563	1563	(2) THE COURT SHALL CONSI DER THE INDIVIDUAL C IRCUMSTANCES 7
1564	1564	OF EACH CASE AND SHA LL REDUCE THE APPLIC ANT’S SENTENCE IF THE CO URT 8
1565	1565	FINDS THAT DOING SO WOULD BE IN THE INTE REST OF JUSTICE , IN LIGHT OF THE 9
1566	1566	ELIMINATION AND REDU CTION IN PENALTIES A SSOCIATED WITH 10
1567	1567	CANNABIS–RELATED CONDUCT AND PAST RACIAL DISPARIT IES IN THE 11
1568	1568	ENFORCEMENT OF CANNA BIS LAWS. 12
1569	1569
1570	1570	(3) THE SENTENCE OF THE A PPLICANT MAY NOT BE INCREASED AT A 13
1571	1571	PROCEEDING DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 14
1572	1572
1573	1573	(D) (1) A PERSON PREVIOUSLY CO NVICTED OF AN OFFENS E INVOLVING 15
1574	1574	THE POSSESSION , POSSESSION WITH INTE NT TO DISTRIBUTE , CULTIVATION, 16
1575	1575	PROCESSING, OR SALE OF CANNABIS NOT LISTED IN § 8–303(A) OF THIS SUBTITLE 17
1576	1576	WHO IS NOT INCARCERA TED OR UNDER SUPERVISION AT T HE TIME OF THE PETIT ION 18
1577	1577	MAY PRESENT AN APPLI CATION FOR EXPUNGEME NT TO THE COURT . 19
1578	1578
1579	1579	(2) THE COURT SHALL CONSI DER THE INDIVIDUAL C IRCUMSTANCES 20
1580	1580	OF A CASE DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND SHALL 21
1581	1581	EXPUNGE THE APPLICAN T’S RECORD IF THE COURT FIND S THAT DOING SO WOUL D 22
1582	1582	BE IN THE INTEREST O F JUSTICE, IN LIGHT OF THE ELIM INATION AND REDUCTIO N 23
1583	1583	IN PENALTIES ASSOCIA TED WITH CANNABIS –RELATED CONDUCT AND PAST RACIAL 24
1584	1584	DISPARITIES IN THE E NFORCEMENT OF CANNAB IS LAWS. 25
1585	1585
1586	1586	(E) (1) ANY INDIVIDUAL PETITIONING FOR R ELEASE OR RESENTENCI NG 26
1587	1587	IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (B) OR (C) OF THIS SECTION IS E LIGIBLE FOR 27
1588	1588	REPRESENTATION BY TH E OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. 28
1589	1589
1590	1590	(2) ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2024, ANY INDIVIDUAL PETIT IONING 29
1591	1591	FOR EXPUNGEMENT UNDE R SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION IS E LIGIBLE FOR 30
1592	1592	REPRESENTATION BY TH E OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. 31
1593	1593
1594	1594	(F) (1) IN A PROCEEDING BROUG HT UNDER THIS SECTIO N, THE STATE’S 32
1595	1595	ATTORNEY SHALL RECEIV E NOTICE AND MAY BE HEARD. 33
1596	1596
1597	1597	(2) IN A FACTUAL DISPUTE WITHIN A PROCEEDING UNDER THIS 34
1598	1598	SECTION, THE PROSECUTION SHAL L BEAR THE BURDEN OF PROOF BY A 35 SENATE BILL 692 35
1599	1599
1600	1600
1601	1601	PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE. 1
1602	1602
1603	1603	(3) IF THE STATE’S ATTORNEY DOES NOT REQ UEST TO BE HEARD IN 2
1604	1604	A PROCEEDING UNDER T HIS SECTION, THE COURT SHALL MAKE ALL FACTUAL 3
1605	1605	DETERMINATIONS BASED ON A PREPONDERANCE O F THE EVIDENCE . 4
1606	1606
1607	1607	(G) FUNDS SHALL BE ALLOCA TED BY THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL EQUITY FROM 5
1608	1608	THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REPAIR FUND TO COVER THE COS T TO THE 6
1609	1609	OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICES, AND COURTS, 7
1610	1610	AS PART OF THE COST OF ADMINISTERING TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL 8
1611	1611	ARTICLE. 9
1612	1612
1613	1613	(H) IF A NONCITIZEN REQUE STS IN WRITING TO TH E OFFICE OF THE CLER K 10
1614	1614	OF THE COURT RECORDS RELATED TO AN OFFENS E LISTED IN SUBSECTI ON (B), (C), 11
1615	1615	OR (D) OF THIS SECTION FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES , THOSE RECORDS SHALL BE 12
1616	1616	PROVIDED IF AVAILABL E, OR A STATEMENT SHALL BE PROVIDED THAT NO RECORDS 13
1617	1617	CAN BE FOUND , WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE REQUE ST. 14
1618	1618
1619	1619	Article – Economic Development 15
1620	1620
1621	1621	5–1501. 16
1622	1622
1623	1623	(a) There is a Small, Minority, and Women–Owned Businesses Account under the 17
1624	1624	authority of the Department. 18
1625	1625
1626	1626	(b) (1) (i) The Account shall receive money as required under § 9–1A–27 of 19
1627	1627	the State Government Article. 20
1628	1628
1629	1629	(ii) The Account shall receive money from the Strategic Energy 21
1630	1630	Investment Fund as required under § 9–20B–05 of the State Government Article. 22
1631	1631
1632	1632	(III) THE ACCOUNT SHALL RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE 23
1633	1633	CANNABIS REGULATION FUND AS REQUIRED UNDE R § 12.5–103 OF THE TAX – 24
1634	1634	GENERAL ARTICLE. 25
1635	1635
1636	1636	(2) Money in the Account shall be invested and reinvested by the Treasurer 26
1637	1637	and interest and earnings shall accrue to the Account. 27
1638	1638
1639	1639	(3) The Comptroller shall: 28
1640	1640
1641	1641	(i) account for the Account; and 29
1642	1642
1643	1643	(ii) on a properly approved transmittal prepared by the Department, 30
1644	1644	issue a warrant to pay out money from the Account in the manner provided under this 31
1645	1645	section. 32 36 SENATE BILL 692
1646	1646
1647	1647
1648	1648
1649	1649	(4) The Account is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 1
1650	1650	of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 2
1651	1651
1652	1652	(5) Expenditures from the Account shall only be made on a properly 3
1653	1653	approved transmittal prepared by the Department as provided under subsection (c) of this 4
1654	1654	section. 5
1655	1655
1656	1656	(c) (1) In this subsection, “eligible fund manager”: 6
1657	1657
1658	1658	(i) means an entity that has significant financial or investment 7
1659	1659	experience, under criteria developed by the Department; and 8
1660	1660
1661	1661	(ii) includes an entity that the Department designates to manage 9
1662	1662	funds received under subsection (b)(1)(i) of this section. 10
1663	1663
1664	1664	(2) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection, the 11
1665	1665	Department shall make grants to eligible fund managers to provide investment capital and 12
1666	1666	loans to small, minority, and women–owned businesses in the State. 13
1667	1667
1668	1668	(3) Except for money received from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund 14
1669	1669	OR THE CANNABIS REGULATION FUND, the Department shall ensure that eligible fund 15
1670	1670	managers allocate at least 50% of the funds from this Account to small, minority, and 16
1671	1671	women–owned businesses in the jurisdictions and communities surrounding a video lottery 17
1672	1672	facility. 18
1673	1673
1674	1674	(d) (1) Any money received from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund shall 19
1675	1675	be used to benefit small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses in the 20
1676	1676	clean energy industry in the State. 21
1677	1677
1678	1678	(2) The Department shall make grants to eligible fund managers to provide 22
1679	1679	investment capital, including direct equity investments and similar investments and loans 23
1680	1680	to small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned businesses in the clean energy 24
1681	1681	industry in the State. 25
1682	1682
1683	1683	(E) (1) ANY MONEY RECEIVED FR OM THE CANNABIS REGULATION FUND 26
1684	1684	SHALL BE USED TO BEN EFIT SMALL , MINORITY, WOMEN–OWNED, AND 27
1685	1685	VETERAN–OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTR Y IN THE STATE. 28
1686	1686
1687	1687	(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE F UND 29
1688	1688	MANAGERS TO PROVIDE INVESTMENT CAPITAL , INCLUDING DIRECT EQU ITY 30
1689	1689	INVESTMENTS AND SIMI LAR INVESTMENTS AND LOANS TO SMALL , MINORITY, 31
1690	1690	WOMEN–OWNED, AND VETERAN –OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY 32
1691	1691	IN THE STATE. 33
1692	1692
1693	1693	[(e)] (F) Fund managers receiving grants under this section shall: 34 SENATE BILL 692 37
1694	1694
1695	1695
1696	1696
1697	1697	(1) keep proper records of funds and accounts; 1
1698	1698
1699	1699	(2) provide an annual report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2
1700	1700	2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on investment capital and 3
1701	1701	loans made [pursuant to] IN ACCORDANCE WITH subsection (c) of this section; and 4
1702	1702
1703	1703	(3) be subject to audit by the Office of Legislative Audits of the Department 5
1704	1704	of Legislative Services. 6
1705	1705
1706	1706	[(f)] (G) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, an eligible fund 7
1707	1707	manager may use money from grants received under this section to pay expenses for 8
1708	1708	administrative, actuarial, legal, and technical services. 9
1709	1709
1710	1710	(2) The Department shall set the maximum amount of grant money that 10
1711	1711	each eligible fund manager may use under paragraph (1) of this subsection. 11
1712	1712
1713	1713	[(g)] (H) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4) of this subsection, an 12
1714	1714	eligible fund manager may use money from a grant received under subsection (d)(1) of this 13
1715	1715	section to pay ordinary and reasonable expenses for administrative, actuarial, legal, 14
1716	1716	marketing, and technical services and management fees. 15
1717	1717
1718	1718	(2) The Department shall: 16
1719	1719
1720	1720	(i) maintain all money received from the Strategic Energy 17
1721	1721	Investment Fund in a single account; [and] 18
1722	1722
1723	1723	(II) MAINTAIN ALL MONEY R ECEIVED FROM THE CANNABIS 19
1724	1724	REGULATION FUND IN A SINGLE ACCO UNT; AND 20
1725	1725
1726	1726	[(ii)] (III) make grant allocations to an eligible fund manager as the 21
1727	1727	manager advises the Department that the manager has approved and prepared to fund an 22
1728	1728	investment or a loan. 23
1729	1729
1730	1730	(3) Any allocation that the Department makes to an eligible fund manager 24
1731	1731	from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund shall include: 25
1732	1732
1733	1733	(i) the amount of the investment or loan; and 26
1734	1734
1735	1735	(ii) up to an additional 3% of the total investment or loan 27
1736	1736	commitment amount as a management fee for the benefit and compensation of the eligible 28
1737	1737	fund manager. 29
1738	1738
1739	1739	(4) An eligible fund manager that receives an allocation from the Strategic 30
1740	1740	Energy Investment Fund shall retain for the manager’s benefit: 31
1741	1741	38 SENATE BILL 692
1742	1742
1743	1743
1744	1744	(i) all management fees paid by the Department; and 1
1745	1745
1746	1746	(ii) all interest earned from a loan made by the eligible fund manager 2
1747	1747	under this subsection. 3
1748	1748
1749	1749	[(h)] (I) (1) Notwithstanding any provisions in this section to the contrary, 4
1750	1750	this subsection applies to businesses in areas of the State that are: 5
1751	1751
1752	1752	(i) declared to be federal disaster areas; 6
1753	1753
1754	1754	(ii) subject to a federal declaration of emergency; or 7
1755	1755
1756	1756	(iii) subject to an official declaration of emergency by the Governor. 8
1757	1757
1758	1758	(2) In an area of the State described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, an 9
1759	1759	eligible fund manager may: 10
1760	1760
1761	1761	(i) provide financial assistance under this section to a small, 11
1762	1762	minority, or women–owned business in the form of a grant; or 12
1763	1763
1764	1764	(ii) convert to a grant part or all of a loan that was provided to a 13
1765	1765	small, minority, or women–owned business before the area was declared a federal disaster 14
1766	1766	area or became subject to a declaration of emergency. 15
1767	1767
1768	1768	(3) (i) The amount of any grant or loan converted to a grant under this 16
1769	1769	subsection may not exceed $50,000 for a single business. 17
1770	1770
1771	1771	(ii) The aggregate total of financial assistance provided in the form 18
1772	1772	of grants and loans converted to grants under this subsection may not exceed $10,000,000 19
1773	1773	in a fiscal year. 20
1774	1774
1775	1775	[(i)] (J) The Legislative Auditor shall audit the utilization of the funds that are 21
1776	1776	allocated to small, minority, and women–owned businesses by eligible fund managers 22
1777	1777	under subsection (c)(3) of this section during an audit of the applicable State unit as 23
1778	1778	provided in § 2–1220 of the State Government Article. 24
1779	1779
1780	1780	[(j)] (K) (1) On or before October 1 each year, the Department shall submit a 25
1781	1781	report on the status of money received from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund under 26
1782	1782	subsection (d) of this section to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Economic 27
1783	1783	Matters Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article. 28
1784	1784
1785	1785	(2) With respect to the preceding fiscal year and each relevant prior fiscal 29
1786	1786	year, the report shall include: 30
1787	1787
1788	1788	(i) the amounts received from the Fund; 31
1789	1789
1790	1790	(ii) the amounts placed as grants with eligible fund managers; and 32 SENATE BILL 692 39
1791	1791
1792	1792
1793	1793
1794	1794	(iii) with respect to each eligible fund manager: 1
1795	1795
1796	1796	1. the identity of the manager; 2
1797	1797
1798	1798	2. the money provided to the manager; 3
1799	1799
1800	1800	3. the investments made by the manager; 4
1801	1801
1802	1802	4. the amounts retained by the manager as expenses and 5
1803	1803	management fees; 6
1804	1804
1805	1805	5. the small, minority, women–owned, and veteran–owned 7
1806	1806	businesses receiving the investments; and 8
1807	1807
1808	1808	6. the status of the investments listed under item 5 of this 9
1809	1809	item, along with any return made on each investment. 10
1810	1810
1811	1811	Article – Health – General 11
1812	1812
1813	1813	TITLE 23. CANNABIS. 12
1814	1814
1815	1815	SUBTITLE 1. DEFINITIONS. 13
1816	1816
1817	1817	23–101. 14
1818	1818
1819	1819	(A) IN THIS TITLE THE FOL LOWING WORDS HAVE TH E MEANINGS 15
1820	1820	INDICATED. 16
1821	1821
1822	1822	(B) “CANNABIS” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5–101 OF THE CRIMINAL 17
1823	1823	LAW ARTICLE. 18
1824	1824
1825	1825	(C) “CANNABIS ACCESSORIES ” MEANS ANY EQUIPMENT , PRODUCTS, OR 19
1826	1826	MATERIALS OF ANY KIN D THAT ARE USED , INTENDED FOR USE , OR DESIGNED FOR 20
1827	1827	USE IN PLANTING , PROPAGATING , CULTIVATING, GROWING, HARVESTING, 21
1828	1828	COMPOSTING , MANUFACTURING , COMPOUNDING , CONVERTING , PRODUCING, 22
1829	1829	PROCESSING, PREPARING, TESTING, ANALYZING, PACKAGING, REPACKAGING , 23
1830	1830	STORING, VAPORIZING, OR CONTAINING CANNAB IS, OR FOR INGESTING , INHALING, 24
1831	1831	OR OTHERWISE INTRODU CING CANNABIS INTO T HE HUMAN BODY. 25
1832	1832
1833	1833	(D) “CANNABIS ESTABLISHMEN T” MEANS A CULTIVATOR , A DELIVERY 26
1834	1834	SERVICE, A PROCESSOR , A RETAILER, AN INDEPENDENT TESTI NG LABORATORY , A 27
1835	1835	TRANSPORTER , AN ON–SITE CONSUMPTION EST ABLISHMENT , OR ANY OTHER TYPE 28
1836	1836	OF CANNABIS BUSINESS LICENSED UNDER THIS TITLE AND AUTHORIZED BY TH E 29
1837	1837	COMMISSION. 30 40 SENATE BILL 692
1838	1838
1839	1839
1840	1840
1841	1841	(E) “CANNABIS ESTABLISHMEN T AGENT” OR “AGENT” MEANS AN 1
1842	1842	EMPLOYEE OR OTHER AU THORIZED PERSON WHO ACTS FOR OR AT THE D IRECTION 2
1843	1843	OF A CANNABIS ESTABL ISHMENT. 3
1844	1844
1845	1845	(F) “CANNABIS PRODUCTS ” MEANS PRODUCTS THAT ARE COMPOSED OF 4
1846	1846	CANNABIS, CANNABIS CONCENTRATE , OR CANNABIS EXTRACT AND OTHER 5
1847	1847	INGREDIENTS AND ARE INTENDED FOR USE OR CONSUMPTION , INCLUDING EDIBLE 6
1848	1848	PRODUCTS, OINTMENTS, AND TINCTURES . 7
1849	1849
1850	1850	(G) “CANNABIS REGULATION FUND” MEANS THE FUND ESTAB LISHED 8
1851	1851	UNDER § 12.5–103 OF THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE. 9
1852	1852
1853	1853	(H) “CLASS A PROCESSOR” MEANS A PROCESSOR TH AT MAY PERFORM 10
1854	1854	SOLVENT–BASED EXTRACTIONS ON CANNABIS IN COMPLIAN CE WITH REGULATIONS 11
1855	1855	ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION. 12
1856	1856
1857	1857	(I) “CLASS B PROCESSOR” MEANS A PROCESSOR TH AT MAY NOT PERFORM 13
1858	1858	SOLVENT–BASED EXT RACTIONS ON CANNABIS USING SOLVENTS OTHER THAN 14
1859	1859	WATER, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL , VEGETABLE OIL , OR FOOD–GRADE 15
1860	1860	ETHANOL. 16
1861	1861
1862	1862	(J) “COMMISSION” MEANS THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION OR 17
1863	1863	ITS SUCCESSOR AGENCY . 18
1864	1864
1865	1865	(K) “CONSUMER” MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD WHO 19
1866	1866	PURCHASES CANNABIS O R CANNABIS PRODUCTS FOR PERSONAL USE BY 20
1867	1867	INDIVIDUALS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD. 21
1868	1868
1869	1869	(L) “CULTIVATOR” MEANS AN ENTITY LICE NSED UNDER THIS TITL E THAT: 22
1870	1870
1871	1871	(1) CULTIVATES OR PACKAGE S CANNABIS; AND 23
1872	1872
1873	1873	(2) IS AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE CANNABIS TO 24
1874	1874	OTHER CANNABIS ESTAB LISHMENTS. 25
1875	1875
1876	1876	(M) “DELIVERY SERVICE ” MEANS AN ENTITY LICE NSED UNDER THIS TITL E 26
1877	1877	THAT IS AUTHORIZED B Y THE COMMISSION TO DELIVER CANNABIS TO CONSUMER S. 27
1878	1878
1879	1879	(N) “FUND” MEANS THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REPAIR FUND 28
1880	1880	ESTABLISHED UNDER § 23–201 OF THIS TITLE. 29
1881	1881
1882	1882	(O) “INDEPENDENT TESTING L ABORATORY ” MEANS A FACILITY , AN ENTITY, 30 SENATE BILL 692 41
1883	1883
1884	1884
1885	1885	OR A SITE THAT OFFER S OR PERFORMS TESTS RELATED TO THE INSPE CTION AND 1
1886	1886	TESTING OF CANNABIS AND PRODUCTS CONTAIN ING CANNABIS. 2
1887	1887
1888	1888	(P) “LOCALITY” MEANS A COUNTY , A MUNICIPAL CORPORAT ION, OR 3
1889	1889	ANOTHER POLITICAL SU BDIVISION OF THE STATE. 4
1890	1890
1891	1891	(Q) “MEDICAL CANNABIS DISP ENSARY” MEANS A DISPENSARY L ICENSED 5
1892	1892	UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 6
1893	1893
1894	1894	(R) “MEDICAL CANNABIS GROW ER” MEANS A GROWER LICEN SED UNDER 7
1895	1895	TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 8
1896	1896
1897	1897	(S) “MEDICAL CANNABIS INDE PENDENT TESTING LABO RATORY” MEANS AN 9
1898	1898	INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORY LICENSED UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF 10
1899	1899	THIS ARTICLE. 11
1900	1900
1901	1901	(T) “MEDICAL CANNABIS PROC ESSOR” MEANS A PROCESSOR LI CENSED 12
1902	1902	UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 13
1903	1903
1904	1904	(U) “ON–SITE CONSUMPTION EST ABLISHMENT ” MEANS AN ENTITY 14
1905	1905	LICENSED UNDER THIS TITLE AND AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION AND THE 15
1906	1906	LOCALITY IN WHICH IT IS LOCATED TO SELL C ANNABIS OR CANNABIS PRODUCTS FOR 16
1907	1907	ON–SITE CONSUMPTION. 17
1908	1908
1909	1909	(V) “PERSONAL USE AMOUNT ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 5–101 OF 18
1910	1910	THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE. 19
1911	1911
1912	1912	(W) (1) “PROCESSOR” MEANS AN ENTITY LICE NSED UNDER THIS TITL E 20
1913	1913	AND AUTHORIZED BY TH E COMMISSION TO : 21
1914	1914
1915	1915	(I) TRANSFORM CANNABIS IN TO ANOTHER PRODUCT O R 22
1916	1916	EXTRACT; AND 23
1917	1917
1918	1918	(II) PACKAGE AND LABEL CAN NABIS. 24
1919	1919
1920	1920	(2) “PROCESSOR” INCLUDES CLASS A AND CLASS B PROCESSORS . 25
1921	1921
1922	1922	(X) (1) “PUBLIC PLACE” MEANS ANY PLACE TO W HICH THE GENERAL 26
1923	1923	PUBLIC HAS ACCESS . 27
1924	1924
1925	1925	(2) “PUBLIC PLACE” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 28
1926	1926
1927	1927	(I) AN ON–SITE CONSUM PTION ESTABLISHMENT ; OR 29 42 SENATE BILL 692
1928	1928
1929	1929
1930	1930
1931	1931	(II) ANY VENUE OR AREA WHE RE INDIVIDUALS CONGR EGATE TO 1
1932	1932	CONSUME CANNABIS IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH LOCAL LAW . 2
1933	1933
1934	1934	(Y) “REMUNERATION ” MEANS A THING OF VAL UE, INCLUDING MONETARY 3
1935	1935	PAYMENT, A DONATION, THE PROVISION OF A S ERVICE, THE PURCHASE OF AN ITEM 4
1936	1936	AT ABOVE FAIR MARKET VALUE, OR THE TRADE OF A PH YSICAL ITEM OF VALUE . 5
1937	1937
1938	1938	(Z) “RETAILER” MEANS AN ENTITY LICE NSED TO: 6
1939	1939
1940	1940	(1) PURCHASE CANNABIS FRO M CANNABIS ESTABLISH MENTS; AND 7
1941	1941
1942	1942	(2) SELL CANNABIS AND CAN NABIS PRODUCTS TO CO NSUMERS. 8
1943	1943
1944	1944	(AA) “TRANSPORTER ” MEANS AN ENTITY LICE NSED UNDER THIS TITL E AND 9
1945	1945	AUTHORIZED BY THE COMMISSION TO TRANSPO RT CANNABIS BETWEEN CANNABIS 10
1946	1946	ESTABLISHMENTS . 11
1947	1947
1948	1948	SUBTITLE 2. COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REPAIR FUND. 12
1949	1949
1950	1950	23–201. 13
1951	1951
1952	1952	(A) (1) THERE IS A COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REPAIR FUND. 14
1953	1953
1954	1954	(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO 15
1955	1955	COMMUNITY –BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVICE COMMUNI TIES DETERMINED 16
1956	1956	BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HAVE BEEN THE MOST IMPACT ED 17
1957	1957	BY DISPROPORTIONATE ENFORCEMENT OF THE CANNABIS PROHIBITION BEFORE 18
1958	1958	JULY 1, 2022. 19
1959	1959
1960	1960	(3) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUND. 20
1961	1961
1962	1962	(4) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 21
1963	1963	SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 22
1964	1964
1965	1965	(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 23
1966	1966	SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 24
1967	1967
1968	1968	(5) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 25
1969	1969
1970	1970	(I) ANY MONEY ALLOCATED T O THE FUND UNDER § 12.5–103 26
1971	1971	OF THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE; AND 27
1972	1972	SENATE BILL 692 43
1973	1973
1974	1974
1975	1975	(II) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 1
1976	1976	FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A NY CONDITIONS ADOPTE D 2
1977	1977	BY THE COMPTROLLER FOR THE ACCEPTANCE O F DONATIONS OR GIFTS TO THE 3
1978	1978	FUND. 4
1979	1979
1980	1980	(6) (I) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR: 5
1981	1981
1982	1982	1. FUNDING COMMUNITY –BASED INITIATIVES 6
1983	1983	INTENDED TO BENEFIT LOW–INCOME COMMUNITIES ; 7
1984	1984
1985	1985	2. FUNDING COMMUNITY –BASED INITIATIVES TH AT 8
1986	1986	SERVE COMMUNITIES DI SPROPORTIONATELY HAR MED BY THE CANNABIS 9
1987	1987	PROHIBITION AND ENFO RCEMENT; AND 10
1988	1988
1989	1989	3. ANY RELATED ADMINISTR ATIVE EXPENSES . 11
1990	1990
1991	1991	(II) MONEY MAY NOT BE EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR LAW 12
1992	1992	ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES OR ACTIVITIES. 13
1993	1993
1994	1994	(III) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO 14
1995	1995	AND MAY NOT SUPPLANT FUN DING THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE APPROPRIATED 15
1996	1996	FOR PREEXISTING LOCAL GO VERNMENT PROGRAMS . 16
1997	1997
1998	1998	(7) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 17
1999	1999	IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 18
2000	2000
2001	2001	(8) NO PART OF THE FUND MAY REVERT OR BE CREDITED TO: 19
2002	2002
2003	2003	(I) THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE; OR 20
2004	2004
2005	2005	(II) ANY OTHER SPECIAL FUN D OF THE STATE. 21
2006	2006
2007	2007	(9) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PAY OUT MONEY FROM THE FUND. 22
2008	2008
2009	2009	(10) THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO AU DIT BY THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE 23
2010	2010	AUDITS AS PROVIDED FO R IN § 2–1220 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 24
2011	2011
2012	2012	(B) (1) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL DISTRIBUTE FUN DS FROM THE FUND 25
2013	2013	TO THE COUNTIES IN AN AMOUNT THAT , FOR THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1, 2002, TO 26
2014	2014	JUNE 30, 2022, BOTH INCLUSIVE , IS PROPORTIONATE TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF 27
2015	2015	MARIJUANA ARRESTS IN THE COUNTY COMPARED TO THE TOTA L NUMBER OF 28
2016	2016	MARIJUANA ARRESTS IN THE STATE. 29
2017	2017	44 SENATE BILL 692
2018	2018
2019	2019
2020	2020	(2) (I) SUBJECT TO THE LIMITATIONS UNDER SU BSECTION (A)(6) 1
2021	2021	OF THIS SECTION, EACH COUNTY SHALL ADOPT A LAW ESTABLISHING THE PUR POSE 2
2022	2022	FOR WHICH MONEY RECE IVED FROM THE FUND MAY BE USED . 3
2023	2023
2024	2024	(II) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 1 EVERY 2 YEARS, BEGINNING 4
2025	2025	IN 2024, EACH LOCAL JURISDICTION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO T HE GOVERNOR 5
2026	2026	AND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, THE 6
2027	2027	SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE, THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE, 7
2028	2028	THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, AND THE HOUSE HEALTH AND GOVERNMENT 8
2029	2029	OPERATIONS COMMITTEE ON HOW FUNDS RECEIVE D FROM THE FUND WERE SPENT 9
2030	2030	DURING THE IMMEDIATE LY PRECEDING 2 FISCAL YEARS. 10
2031	2031
2032	2032	SUBTITLE 3. CANNABIS REGULATION. 11
2033	2033
2034	2034	23–301. 12
2035	2035
2036	2036	(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2023, THE COMMISSION SHALL 13
2037	2037	ADOPT REGULATIONS NE CESSARY FOR IMPLEMEN TATION OF THIS TITLE. 14
2038	2038
2039	2039	(2) THE REGULATIONS MAY N OT: 15
2040	2040
2041	2041	(I) PROHIBIT THE OPERATIO N OF CANNABIS 16
2042	2042	ESTABLISHMENTS , EITHER EXPRESSLY OR THROUGH THE APPLICAT ION OF THE 17
2043	2043	REGULATIONS ; OR 18
2044	2044
2045	2045	(II) REQUIRE A HIGH INVEST MENT OF RISK, MONEY, TIME, OR 19
2046	2046	ANY OTHER RESOURCE O R ASSET THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE OPERATION OF A 20
2047	2047	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT BEING CONSIDERED NOT WORTHY OF BEING CARRIED 21
2048	2048	OUT IN PRACTICE BY A REASONABLY PRUDENT B USINESSPERSON . 22
2049	2049
2050	2050	(3) THE REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE: 23
2051	2051
2052	2052	(I) PROCEDURES FOR THE IS SUANCE, RENEWAL, SUSPENSION, 24
2053	2053	AND REVOCATION OF A LICENSE TO OPERATE A CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT; 25
2054	2054
2055	2055	(II) RULES, PROCEDURES , AND POLICIES TO PROM OTE AND 26
2056	2056	ENCOURAGE FULL PARTI CIPATION IN THE REGU LATED CANNABIS INDUS TRY BY 27
2057	2057	PEOPLE FROM COMMUNIT IES THAT HAVE PREVIO USLY BEEN 28
2058	2058	DISPROPORTIO NATELY HARMED BY CAN NABIS PROHIBITION AN D ENFORCEMENT 29
2059	2059	AND TO POSITIVELY IM PACT THOSE COMMUNITI ES, INCLUDING: 30
2060	2060
2061	2061	1. CONDUCTING NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE 31
2062	2062	OUTREACH TO DIVERSE GROUPS THAT MAY QUAL IFY FOR PARTICIPATIO N IN 32 SENATE BILL 692 45
2063	2063
2064	2064
2065	2065	ACTIVITIES UNDER THI S TITLE; 1
2066	2066
2067	2067	2. REQUIRING EACH CANNAB IS ESTABLISHMENT TO 2
2068	2068	ESTABLISH AND ADHERE TO POLICIES THAT ENC OURAGE DIVERSITY IN 3
2069	2069	EMPLOYMENT , CONTRACTING , AND OTHER PROFESSION AL OPPORTUNITIES ; AND 4
2070	2070
2071	2071	3. REQUIRING EACH CANNAB IS ESTABLISHMENT TO 5
2072	2072	REPORT ON THE DIVERS ITY OF ITS WORKFOR CE, MANAGEMENT , CONTRACTS, AND 6
2073	2073	OWNERSHIP ON OR BEFO RE JANUARY 1 EACH YEAR; 7
2074	2074
2075	2075	(III) AN APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS FOR GRANTING 8
2076	2076	LICENSES; 9
2077	2077
2078	2078	(IV) A PROCESS TO ALLOW CUL TIVATORS TO MOVE TO ANOTHER 10
2079	2079	TIER OF LICENSE; 11
2080	2080
2081	2081	(V) A SCHEDULE OF REASONAB LE APPLICATION, LICENSE, AND 12
2082	2082	RENEWAL FEES THAT : 13
2083	2083
2084	2084	1. ESTABLISHES APPLICATI ON FEES IN AN AMOUNT NOT 14
2085	2085	EXCEEDING $5,000, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION , UNLESS THE 15
2086	2086	COMMISSION DETERMINES A GREATER FEE IS NEC ESSARY TO CARRY OUT ITS 16
2087	2087	RESPONSIBILITIES UND ER THIS TITLE OR ANOTHER F EE AMOUNT IS REQUIRE D 17
2088	2088	UNDER THIS TITLE ; 18
2089	2089
2090	2090	2. BASES APPLICATION AND LICENSING FEES FOR 19
2091	2091	CULTIVATION ON TIER , WITH SUBSTANTIALLY L OWER FEES FOR TIER 1 20
2092	2092	CULTIVATORS THAN FOR TIER 5 CULTIVATORS ; AND 21
2093	2093
2094	2094	3. SETS APPLICATION AND LICENSING FEES FOR CLASS 22
2095	2095	B PROCESSORS SUBSTANTI ALLY LOWER THAN APPL ICATION AND LICENSIN G FEES 23
2096	2096	FOR CLASS A PROCESSORS ; 24
2097	2097
2098	2098	(VI) QUALIFICATIONS FOR A LICENSE THAT ARE DIR ECTLY AND 25
2099	2099	DEMONSTRABLY RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF A CANNABIS ESTABLISH MENT 26
2100	2100	AND THAT DO NOT DISQ UALIFY APPLICANTS FOR CANNABIS OFFENSES OC CURRING 27
2101	2101	BEFORE JULY 1, 2022; 28
2102	2102
2103	2103	(VII) SECURITY REQUIREMENTS ; 29
2104	2104
2105	2105	(VIII) REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SECURE TRANSPORTATIO N AND 30
2106	2106	STORAGE OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS PRODUCT S BY CANNABIS ESTABL ISHMENTS; 31
2107	2107	46 SENATE BILL 692
2108	2108
2109	2109
2110	2110	(IX) REQUIREMENTS FOR DELIVERY SERVICES , INCLUDING: 1
2111	2111
2112	2112	1. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS ; 2
2113	2113
2114	2114	2. A PROHIBITION ON BUSIN ESS NAMES, LOGOS, AND 3
2115	2115	OTHER IDENTIFYING LA NGUAGE OR IMAGES ON DELIVERY VEHICLES ; AND 4
2116	2116
2117	2117	3. A PROHIBITION ON DELIV ERING TO ANY ADDRESS 5
2118	2118	LOCATED ON LAND OWNE D BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT O R ANY ADDRESS ON 6
2119	2119	LAND OR IN A BUILDIN G LEASED BY THE FEDE RAL GOVERNMENT ; 7
2120	2120
2121	2121	(X) EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINI NG REQUIREMENTS THAT DO 8
2122	2122	NOT DISQUALIFY APPLI CANTS BASED ON CANNA BIS OFFENSES OCCURRI NG BEFORE 9
2123	2123	JULY 1, 2022, INCLUDING A REQUIREM ENT THAT EACH CANNABIS ES TABLISHMENT 10
2124	2124	CREATE AN IDENTIFICA TION BADGE FOR EACH AGENT; 11
2125	2125
2126	2126	(XI) REQUIREMENTS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE SALE OR 12
2127	2127	DIVERSION OF CANNABI S AND CANNABIS PRODU CTS TO INDIVIDUALS U NDER THE 13
2128	2128	AGE OF 21 YEARS; 14
2129	2129
2130	2130	(XII) REQUIREMENTS FOR CANN ABIS AND CANNABIS PRODUCT S 15
2131	2131	SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED BY A CANNABIS ESTABL ISHMENT, INCLUDING: 16
2132	2132
2133	2133	1. A REQUIREMENT THAT LAB ELS BE ACCURATE AND 17
2134	2134	NOT MISLEADING ; 18
2135	2135
2136	2136	2. A REQUIREMENT THAT CAN NABIS PRODUCT LABELS 19
2137	2137	INCLUDE: 20
2138	2138
2139	2139	A. THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TYPICALLY TAKES FO R THE 21
2140	2140	PRODUCT TO TAKE EFFE CT; 22
2141	2141
2142	2142	B. A DISCLOSURE OF INGRED IENTS AND POSSIBLE 23
2143	2143	ALLERGENS; AND 24
2144	2144
2145	2145	C. A NUTRITIONAL FACT PAN EL; 25
2146	2146
2147	2147	3. A REQUIREMENT THAT CAN NABIS PRODUCTS HAVE 26
2148	2148	OPAQUE, CHILD–RESISTANT PACKAGING THAT IS DESIGNED OR CONSTRUCTED TO 27
2149	2149	BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFICULT FO R CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 5 YEARS TO OPEN 28
2150	2150	AND NOT DIFFICULT FO R NORMAL ADULTS TO U SE PROPERLY AS DEFIN ED BY 16 29
2151	2151	C.F.R. 1700.20 (1995); AND 30
2152	2152	SENATE BILL 692 47
2153	2153
2154	2154
2155	2155	4. A REQUIREMENT THAT EDI BLE CANNABIS PRODUCT S 1
2156	2156	BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIA BLE, WHEN PRACTICABLE , WITH A STANDARD SYMBO L 2
2157	2157	INDICATING THAT IT C ONTAINS CANNABIS ; 3
2158	2158
2159	2159	(XIII) HEALTH AND SAFETY REG ULATIONS AND STANDAR DS FOR 4
2160	2160	THE MANUFACTURE OF C ANNABIS PRODUCTS AND BOTH THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR 5
2161	2161	CULTIVATION OF CANNA BIS BY CANNABIS ESTA BLISHMENTS; 6
2162	2162
2163	2163	(XIV) REGULATIONS CONCERNING ADV ERTISING AND SIGNAGE , 7
2164	2164	INCLUDING RULES FOR AUDIENCE COMPOSITION TO REDUCE THE LIKELI HOOD OF 8
2165	2165	ADVERTISING EXPOSURE FOR MINORS; 9
2166	2166
2167	2167	(XV) CREATION OF A LICENSU RE TIER SYSTEM FOR 10
2168	2168	CULTIVATORS THAT : 11
2169	2169
2170	2170	1. IS BASED ON TOTAL CAN OPY; 12
2171	2171
2172	2172	2. ALLOWS CULTIVATORS TO A PPLY TO MOVE TO 13
2173	2173	ANOTHER TIER ; 14
2174	2174
2175	2175	3. BASES FEES ON TIER ; AND 15
2176	2176
2177	2177	4. INCLUDES, AT A MINIMUM, THE FOLLOWING TIERS OF 16
2178	2178	CULTIVATION LICENSES : 17
2179	2179
2180	2180	A. TIER 1 CULTIVATOR OR MICROB USINESS THAT 18
2181	2181	AUTHORIZES THE CULTI VATOR TO GROW A TOTA L CANOPY OF NOT MORE THAN 5,000 19
2182	2182	SQUARE FEET FOR INDO OR CULTIVATION OR 15,000 SQUARE FEET FOR OUTD OOR 20
2183	2183	CULTIVATION; 21
2184	2184
2185	2185	B. TIER 2 CULTIVATOR THAT AUTH ORIZES THE 22
2186	2186	CULTIVATOR TO GROW A TOTAL CANOPY OF NOT MORE THAN 10,000 SQUARE FEET 23
2187	2187	FOR INDOOR CULTIVATI ON OR 30,000 SQUARE FEET FOR OUTDOO R CULTIVATION; 24
2188	2188
2189	2189	C. TIER 3 CULTIVATOR THAT AUTH ORIZES THE 25
2190	2190	CULTIVATOR TO GROW A TOTAL CANOPY OF NOT MORE THAN 20,000 SQUARE FEET 26
2191	2191	FOR INDOOR CULTIVATI ON OR 60,000 SQUARE FEET FOR OUTD OOR CULTIVATION ; 27
2192	2192
2193	2193	D. TIER 4 CULTIVATOR THAT AUTH ORIZES A 28
2194	2194	CULTIVATOR TO GROW A TOTAL CANOPY OF NOT MORE THAN 35,000 SQUARE FEET 29
2195	2195	FOR INDOOR CULTIVATI ON OR 105,000 SQUARE FEET FOR OUTD OOR CULTIVATION ; 30
2196	2196
2197	2197	E. TIER 5 CULTIVATOR THAT AUTH ORIZES A 31 48 SENATE BILL 692
2198	2198
2199	2199
2200	2200	CULTIVATOR TO GROW A TOTAL CANOPY OF NOT MORE THAN 50,000 SQUARE FEET 1
2201	2201	FOR INDOOR CULTIVATI ON OR 150,000 SQUARE FEET FOR OUTD OOR CULTIVATION ; 2
2202	2202	AND 3
2203	2203
2204	2204	F. ADDITIONAL TIERS NECE SSARY TO ACCOMMODATE 4
2205	2205	THE EXPANSION OF CUL TIVATORS IN TIER 5 OR ABOVE THAT CAN DE MONSTRATE 5
2206	2206	THAT THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING AT OR NEAR THE CANOP Y LIMIT OF THEIR TIE R 6
2207	2207	AND THAT THERE IS DE MAND FOR INCREASED C ULTIVATION; 7
2208	2208
2209	2209	(XVI) RESTRICTIONS OR PROHI BITIONS ON ADDITIVES TO 8
2210	2210	CANNABIS AND CANNABI S–INFUSED PRODUCTS , INCLUDING ADDITIVES THAT ARE 9
2211	2211	TOXIC OR DESIGNED TO MAKE THE PRODUCT MOR E ADDICTIVE; 10
2212	2212
2213	2213	(XVII) PROHIBITIONS ON PRODU CTS THAT ARE DESIGNE D TO 11
2214	2214	MAKE THE PRODUCT MOR E APPEALING TO CHILD REN, INCLUDING A PROHIBIT ION 12
2215	2215	ON THE USE OF ANY IM AGES DESIGNED OR LIK ELY TO APPEAL TO MIN ORS, 13
2216	2216	INCLUDING CARTOONS , TOYS, ANIMALS, OR CHILDREN , AND ANY OTHER LIKENE SS 14
2217	2217	TO IMAGES, CHARACTERS , OR PHRASES THAT ARE POPULARLY USED TO AD VERTISE 15
2218	2218	TO CHILDREN; 16
2219	2219
2220	2220	(XVIII) TESTING REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR TH E 17
2221	2221	OPERATIONS OF TESTIN G LABS THAT ARE IDEN TICAL TO THOSE ISSUE D UNDER 18
2222	2222	TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE, EXCEPT THAT THE REQUIREMENTS AND 19
2223	2223	STANDARDS MAY BE LES S RIGOROUS IF THE COMMISSION FINDS LESS RIGOROUS 20
2224	2224	STANDARDS ARE WARRAN TED DUE TO THE DIFFE RENCES BETWEEN ADULT –USE 21
2225	2225	CONSUMERS AND MEDICA L PATIENTS; 22
2226	2226
2227	2227	(XIX) SPECIFICATIONS GOVERN ING VISITS TO CULTIV ATORS AND 23
2228	2228	PROCESSORS, INCLUDING A REQUIREM ENT THAT THE CANNABI S ESTABLISHMENT 24
2229	2229	LOG VISITORS; 25
2230	2230
2231	2231	(XX) A DEFINITION OF THE AM OUNT OF 26
2232	2232	DELTA–9–TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL THAT CONSTITUTES A S INGLE SERVING IN A 27
2233	2233	CANNABIS PRODUCT ; 28
2234	2234
2235	2235	(XXI) STANDARDS FOR THE SAF E MANUFACTURE OF CAN NABIS 29
2236	2236	EXTRACTS AND CONCENT RATES; 30
2237	2237
2238	2238	(XXII) REQUIREMENTS THAT EDU CATIONAL MATERIALS B E 31
2239	2239	DISSEMINATED TO CONS UMERS WHO PURCHASE C ANNABIS–INFUSED PRODUCTS ; 32
2240	2240
2241	2241	(XXIII) REQUIREMENTS FOR RAND OM SAMPLE TESTING TO 33
2242	2242	ENSURE QUALITY CONTR OL, INCLUDING: 34 SENATE BILL 692 49
2243	2243
2244	2244
2245	2245
2246	2246	1. BY ENSURING THAT CANN ABIS AND 1
2247	2247	CANNABIS–INFUSED PRODUCTS ARE ACCURATELY LABELED F OR POTENCY; AND 2
2248	2248
2249	2249	2. UNLESS THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT 3
2250	2250	REMEDIATION OR TREAT MENT IS SUFFICIENT T O ENSURE PRODUCT SAF ETY, A 4
2251	2251	REQUIREMENT THAT TES TING INCLUDE TESTING FOR: 5
2252	2252
2253	2253	A. RESIDUAL SOLVENTS , POISONS, OR TOXINS; 6
2254	2254
2255	2255	B. HARMFUL CHEMICALS ; 7
2256	2256
2257	2257	C. DANGEROUS MOLDS OR MI LDEW; 8
2258	2258
2259	2259	D. FILTH; AND 9
2260	2260
2261	2261	E. HARMFUL MICROBIALS , SUCH AS E. COLI OR 10
2262	2262	SALMONELLA , AND PESTICIDES ; 11
2263	2263
2264	2264	(XXIV) CIVIL PENALTIES OF UP TO $20,000 FOR FAILURE TO 12
2265	2265	COMPLY WITH REGULATI ONS ADOPTED IN ACCOR DANCE WITH THIS TITL E; 13
2266	2266
2267	2267	(XXV) PROCEDURES FOR COLLEC TING TAXES LEVIED ON 14
2268	2268	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NTS; 15
2269	2269
2270	2270	(XXVI) REQUIREMENTS FOR ON –SITE CONSUMPTION 16
2271	2271	ESTABLISHMENTS , INCLUDING FOR SECURI TY, VENTILATION, ODOR CON TROL, AND 17
2272	2272	CONSUMPTION BY PATRO NS, THAT MAY NOT PROHIBI T AN ON–SITE CONSUMPTION 18
2273	2273	LICENSEE ALSO HOLDIN G AN APPROPRIATE LICENSE TO SELL BEER AND WINE FOR 19
2274	2274	ON–PREMISES CONSUMPTION FROM SELLING BEER AN D WINE IF APPROVED B Y THE 20
2275	2275	LOCALITY IN WHICH TH E ON–SITE CONSUMPTION ESTABLIS HMENT PLANS TO 21
2276	2276	OPERATE; 22
2277	2277
2278	2278	(XXVII) PROCEDURES FOR INVENT ORY MANAGEMENT AND 23
2279	2279	TRACKING THAT MAY NO T REQUIRE THE DIFFER ENTIATION BETWEEN AD ULT–USE 24
2280	2280	AND MEDICAL CANNABIS OR CANNABIS PRODUCTS BE FORE THE POINT OF SA LE, 25
2281	2281	EXCEPT FOR HIGH –POTENCY CANNABIS PRODUCTS AL LOWED FOR PATIENTS T HAT 26
2282	2282	EXCEED POTENCY LIMIT S SET FOR ADULT–USE CANNABIS PRODUCT S; AND 27
2283	2283
2284	2284	(XXVIII) PROCEDURES ALLOWING C ANNABIS 28
2285	2285	ESTABLISHMENTS TO OB TAIN AND SELL HEMP A ND HEMP PRODUCTS AND 29
2286	2286	MANUFACTURE PRODUCTS USING HEMP–DERIVED ISOLATE . 30
2287	2287	50 SENATE BILL 692
2288	2288
2289	2289
2290	2290	(B) (1) AFTER CONSULTING WITH RESEARCHERS KNOWLEDG EABLE 1
2291	2291	ABOUT THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF CANNABIS AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY 2
2292	2292	FOR PUBLIC COMMENT , THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP A SCIENTIFICALLY 3
2293	2293	ACCURATE SAFETY INFO RMATION LABEL , HANDOUT, OR BOTH. 4
2294	2294
2295	2295	(2) THE SAFETY INFORMATIO N MATERIALS DEVELOPE D UNDER 5
2296	2296	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL BE AVAILABLE TO EACH CONSUMER . 6
2297	2297
2298	2298	(3) THE SAFETY INFORMATIO N MATERIALS DEVELOPE D UNDER 7
2299	2299	PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION S HALL INCLUDE : 8
2300	2300
2301	2301	(I) ADVICE ABOUT THE POTE NTIAL RISKS OF CANNA BIS, 9
2302	2302	INCLUDING: 10
2303	2303
2304	2304	1. THE RISKS OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF 11
2305	2305	CANNABIS AND THE FAC T THAT DOING SO IS ILLEGAL; 12
2306	2306
2307	2307	2. ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS U NIQUE TO YOUNGER 13
2308	2308	ADULTS, INCLUDING EFFECTS RE LATED TO BRAIN DEVELOPMENT ; 14
2309	2309
2310	2310	3. POTENTIAL ADVERSE EVE NTS AND OTHER RISKS ; AND 15
2311	2311
2312	2312	4. RISKS OF USING CANNAB IS DURING PREGNANCY OR 16
2313	2313	BREASTFEEDING ; AND 17
2314	2314
2315	2315	(II) A WARNING ABOUT THE NEED TO SAFEGUARD ALL 18
2316	2316	CANNABIS AND CANNABI S PRODUCTS FROM CHIL DREN AND PETS . 19
2317	2317
2318	2318	(C) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL REVI EW AND UPDATE THE SA FETY 20
2319	2319	INFORMATION MATERIAL S DEVELOPED UNDER SU BSECTION (B)(1) OF THIS 21
2320	2320	SECTION AT LEAST ONC E EVERY 2 YEARS TO E NSURE THE MATERIALS REMAIN 22
2321	2321	ACCURATE. 23
2322	2322
2323	2323	(2) THE REVIEW PERIOD SHA LL INCLUDE THE SOLIC ITATION OF 24
2324	2324	INPUT FROM RESEARCHE RS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABO UT THE RISKS AND BEN EFITS OF 25
2325	2325	CANNABIS AND AN OPPO RTUNITY FOR PUBLIC C OMMENT. 26
2326	2326
2327	2327	(D) IN ORDER TO ENSURE TH AT INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY IS PROTECTED : 27
2328	2328
2329	2329	(1) THE COMMISSION MAY NOT RE QUIRE A CONSUMER TO PROVIDE A 28
2330	2330	RETAILER WITH PERSON AL INFORMATION OTHER THAN GOVERNMENT –ISSUED 29
2331	2331	IDENTIFICATION TO DE TERMINE THE CONSUMER ’S AGE; AND 30
2332	2332	SENATE BILL 692 51
2333	2333
2334	2334
2335	2335	(2) A RETAILER MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE AND RECORD 1
2336	2336	PERSONAL INFORMATION ABOUT CONSUMERS . 2
2337	2337
2338	2338	(E) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL DEVE LOP POLICIES AND PRO CEDURES 3
2339	2339	GOVERNING THE COMMISSION’S APPROVAL OF TRANSF ER OF LICENSES. 4
2340	2340
2341	2341	(2) THE POLICIES AND PROC EDURES MAY REQUIRE T HAT, BEFORE 5
2342	2342	THE TRANSFER IS APPR OVED: 6
2343	2343
2344	2344	(I) ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS BE MET; OR 7
2345	2345
2346	2346	(II) A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME ELAPSE S BEFORE THE 8
2347	2347	TRANSFER. 9
2348	2348
2349	2349	(F) (1) IN AWARDING LICENSES UNDER THIS TITLE , THE COMMISSION 10
2350	2350	SHALL ENSURE THAT AT LEAST 30% OF THE LICENSES AWAR DED ARE AWARDED TO 11
2351	2351	APPLICANTS THAT ARE 51% OR MORE OWNED BY MEM BERS OF A GROUP THAT HAS 12
2352	2352	BEEN HISTORICALLY NE GATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE ENFORCEMENT OF T HE 13
2353	2353	CANNABIS PROHIBITION . 14
2354	2354
2355	2355	(2) IF THE COMMISSION FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT 15
2356	2356	IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE COMMISSION SHA LL DOCUMENT THE 16
2357	2357	ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION TO COMPLY AND THE REASON FOR T HE 17
2358	2358	FAILURE. 18
2359	2359
2360	2360	SUBTITLE 4. CANNABIS LICENSING. 19
2361	2361
2362	2362	23–401. 20
2363	2363
2364	2364	(A) EACH APPLICATION OR R ENEWAL APPLICATION F OR A LICENSE TO 21
2365	2365	OPERATE A CANNABIS E STABLISHMENT SHALL B E SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION. 22
2366	2366
2367	2367	(B) CANNABIS ESTABLISHMEN TS, AND THE BOOKS AND RE CORDS 23
2368	2368	MAINTAINED AND CREAT ED BY CANNABIS ESTAB LISHMENTS, ARE SUBJECT TO 24
2369	2369	INSPECTION BY THE COMMISSION. 25
2370	2370
2371	2371	(C) ON DENIAL OF AN APPLI CATION, THE COMMISSION SHALL NOTI FY THE 26
2372	2372	APPLICANT IN WRITING OF THE SPECIFIC REASON FO R ITS DENIAL. 27
2373	2373
2374	2374	(D) THE COMMISSION MAY IMPOSE PENALTIES OR RESCIND THE LICENSE 28
2375	2375	OF A CANNABIS ESTABL ISHMENT THAT DOES NO T MEET THE STANDARDS FOR 29
2376	2376	LICENSURE SET BY THE COMMISSION. 30
2377	2377	52 SENATE BILL 692
2378	2378
2379	2379
2380	2380	(E) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 23–403(E) OF THIS SUBTITLE , A CANNABIS 1
2381	2381	ESTABLISHMENT LICENS E IS VALID FOR: 2
2382	2382
2383	2383	(1) 1 YEAR ON INITIAL LICE NSURE; AND 3
2384	2384
2385	2385	(2) 2 YEARS ON RENEWAL . 4
2386	2386
2387	2387	23–402. 5
2388	2388
2389	2389	(A) A PERSON MAY NOT HOLD A LEGAL, EQUITABLE, OR BENEFICIAL 6
2390	2390	INTEREST OF 5% OR MORE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECT LY, IN MORE THAN: 7
2391	2391
2392	2392	(1) ONE CULTIVATOR ; OR 8
2393	2393
2394	2394	(2) FIVE RETAILERS. 9
2395	2395
2396	2396	(B) A CULTIVATOR MAY NOT P RODUCE CANNABIS CONC ENTRATES, 10
2397	2397	TINCTURES, EXTRACTS, OR OTHER CANNABIS PR ODUCTS UNLESS THE CU LTIVATOR 11
2398	2398	IS ALSO LICENSED AS A PROCESSOR. 12
2399	2399
2400	2400	(C) A CULTIVATOR MAY NOT C ULTIVATE MEDICAL CAN NABIS UNLESS THE 13
2401	2401	CULTIVATOR IS LICENSED AS A GROWER UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS 14
2402	2402	ARTICLE. 15
2403	2403
2404	2404	(D) A PROCESSOR MAY NOT PR OCESS OR PRODUCE MED ICAL CANNABIS OR 16
2405	2405	MEDICAL CANNABIS PRO DUCTS UNLESS THE PRO CESSOR IS LICENSED AS A 17
2406	2406	PROCESSOR UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 18
2407	2407
2408	2408	(E) A RETAILER MAY NOT SEL L MEDICAL CANNABIS O R MEDICAL CANNABIS 19
2409	2409	PRODUCTS TO PATIENTS UNLESS THE RETAILER IS LICENSED AS A DISPEN SARY 20
2410	2410	UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 21
2411	2411
2412	2412	23–403. 22
2413	2413
2414	2414	(A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2023, THE COMMISSION SHALL BEGIN 23
2415	2415	ACCEPTING AND PROCES SING APPLICATIONS FO R LICENSES TO OPERAT E AN 24
2416	2416	INDEPENDENT TESTING LABORATORY . 25
2417	2417
2418	2418	(B) ON RECEIVING AN APPLI CATION OR RENEWAL AP PLICATION FOR A 26
2419	2419	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT, THE COMMISSION SHALL IMME DIATELY FORWARD A 27
2420	2420	COPY OF EACH APPLICATION AND HALF OF THE LICENSE APPLI CATION FEE TO THE 28
2421	2421	LOCAL REGULATORY AUT HORITY FOR THE LOCAL ITY IN WHICH THE APP LICANT 29
2422	2422	DESIRES TO OPERATE T HE CANNABIS ESTABLIS HMENT, UNLESS THE LOCALITY HAS 30 SENATE BILL 692 53
2423	2423
2424	2424
2425	2425	NOT DESIGNATED A LOC AL REGULATORY AUTHOR ITY. 1
2426	2426
2427	2427	(C) WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING AN APPLICATION OR A RENEWAL 2
2428	2428	APPLICATION TO OPERA TE AN INDEPENDENT TE STING LABORATORY , THE 3
2429	2429	COMMISSION SHALL ISSU E A LICENSE OR A CON DITIONAL LICENSE TO THE 4
2430	2430	APPLICANT, UNLESS THE COMMISSION: 5
2431	2431
2432	2432	(1) FINDS THAT THE APPLICANT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH 6
2433	2433	REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER § 23–301 OF THIS TITLE; OR 7
2434	2434
2435	2435	(2) IS NOTIFIED BY THE RE LEVANT LOCALITY THAT THE APPLICANT 8
2436	2436	IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL ZONING OR PLANNING REGULATIONS . 9
2437	2437
2438	2438	(D) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL IMPL EMENT A SCORED PROCE SS TO 10
2439	2439	DETERMINE QUALIFYING APPLICANTS FOR CULTI VATION LICENSES , WHICH MAY 11
2440	2440	CONSIDER: 12
2441	2441
2442	2442	(I) SECURITY AND RECORD –KEEPING PLANS ; 13
2443	2443
2444	2444	(II) BUSINESS PLANS; 14
2445	2445
2446	2446	(III) KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIE NCE; 15
2447	2447
2448	2448	(IV) SUITABILITY OF EMPLOY EE TRAINING; 16
2449	2449
2450	2450	(V) DIVERSITY PLANS; 17
2451	2451
2452	2452	(VI) LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES; 18
2453	2453
2454	2454	(VII) ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS ; 19
2455	2455
2456	2456	(VIII) VETERAN STATUS ; AND 20
2457	2457
2458	2458	(IX) MARYLAND RESIDENCY . 21
2459	2459
2460	2460	(2) AN APPLICANT THAT SCO RES ABOVE A NUMBER O F POINTS 22
2461	2461	ESTABLISHED BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE E NTERED INTO A LOTTER Y TO 23
2462	2462	DETERMINE WHICH APPL ICANTS ARE ISSUED LI CENSES. 24
2463	2463
2464	2464	(E) (1) AN APPLICANT MAY APPL Y FOR CONDITIONAL AP PROVAL IF THE 25
2465	2465	APPLICANT HAS NOT PU RCHASED OR LEASED TH E PROPERTY WHERE THE CANNABIS 26
2466	2466	ESTABLISHMENT WOULD BE LOCATED. 27
2467	2467	54 SENATE BILL 692
2468	2468
2469	2469
2470	2470	(2) IF THE APPLICANT IS O THERWISE QUA LIFIED FOR LICENSURE , 1
2471	2471	THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE CONDITIONAL APPR OVAL. 2
2472	2472
2473	2473	(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE 3
2474	2474	COMMISSION MAY REQUIR E A CULTIVATOR TO SE CURE A SITE WITHIN A 4
2475	2475	REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. 5
2476	2476
2477	2477	(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLOW AN APPLICANT T O SHOW 6
2478	2478	CAUSE TO ALLOW ONE O R MORE EXTENSIONS TO THE DEADLINE FOR EVE NTS 7
2479	2479	BEYOND THE APPLICANT ’S CONTROL. 8
2480	2480
2481	2481	(4) ONCE THE APPLICANT PR OVIDES THE COMMISSION WITH A 9
2482	2482	COMPLETED , SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICA TION THAT IDENTIFIES THE PROPERTY 10
2483	2483	WHERE THE CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT IS TO BE LOCATED , THE COMMISSION 11
2484	2484	SHALL FORWARD THE IN FORMATION TO THE LOC AL REGULATORY AUTHOR ITY AND 12
2485	2485	APPROVE OR REJECT TH E FINAL APPLICATION WITHIN 45 DAYS. 13
2486	2486
2487	2487	(F) THE COMMISSION SHALL ACCE PT AND PROCESS APPLI CATIONS FOR 14
2488	2488	INDEPENDENT T ESTING LABORATORIES ON AN ONGOING BASIS . 15
2489	2489
2490	2490	23–404. 16
2491	2491
2492	2492	(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2023, THE COMMISSION SHALL 17
2493	2493	BEGIN ACCEPTING AND PROCESSING APPLICATI ONS FOR LICENSES TO OPERATE A 18
2494	2494	RETAILER FROM QUALIF IED APPLICANT S. 19
2495	2495
2496	2496	(2) ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL 20
2497	2497	INITIALLY ISSUE 47 RETAILER LICENSES IN A MANNER THAT EQUITA BLY 21
2498	2498	DISTRIBUTES THE LICE NSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AT THE RATE OF ONE 22
2499	2499	LICENSE PER SENATORI AL DISTRICT. 23
2500	2500
2501	2501	(B) ON RECEIVING AN APPLI CATION OR A RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR A 24
2502	2502	RETAILER, THE COMMISSION SHALL PROM PTLY FORWARD A COPY OF EACH 25
2503	2503	APPLICATION AND HALF OF THE LICENSE APPLI CATION FEE TO THE LO CAL 26
2504	2504	REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR THE LOCALITY IN WHICH THE APPLICANT DESIRES 27
2505	2505	TO OPERATE THE CANNA BIS ESTABLISHMENT , UNLESS THE LOCALITY HAS NOT 28
2506	2506	DESIGNATED A LOCAL R EGULATORY AUTHORITY . 29
2507	2507
2508	2508	(C) THE COMMISSION SHALL AWAR D UP TO 250 POINTS TO COMPLETE 30
2509	2509	APPLICATIONS BASED O N THE FOLLOWING FACT ORS: 31
2510	2510
2511	2511	(1) 50 POINTS AWARDED FOR S ECURITY AND RECORD K EEPING 32
2512	2512	BASED ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE SECURIT Y PLAN ACCOUNTS FOR THE 33 SENATE BILL 692 55
2513	2513
2514	2514
2515	2515	PREVENTION OF THEFT OR DIVERSION OF CANN ABIS, INCLUDING SAFE STORA GE OF 1
2516	2516	CANNABIS AND CURRENC Y, TRACKING PROCEDURES , AND A PLAN FOR THE 2
2517	2517	DESTRUCTION AND DISP OSAL OF CANNABIS ; 3
2518	2518
2519	2519	(2) 30 POINTS AWARDED FOR K NOWLEDGE AND EXPERIE NCE BASED 4
2520	2520	ON THE APPLICANT’S PRINCIPAL OFFICERS ’ DEMONSTRATED EXPERIE NCE AND 5
2521	2521	QUALIFICATIONS IN BU SINESS MANAGEMENT OR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CANNABIS 6
2522	2522	INDUSTRY, WHICH MAY BE DEMONST RATED THROUGH EXPERI ENCE IN OTHER 7
2523	2523	INDUSTRIES OR TRAINI NG THAT REFLECTS ON AN APPLICANT ’S ABILITY TO 8
2524	2524	OPERATE A CANNABIS B USINESS ESTABLISHMEN T; 9
2525	2525
2526	2526	(3) 30 POINTS AWARDED FOR B USINESS PLAN , FINANCIALS, 10
2527	2527	OPERATING, AND FLOOR PLANS ; 11
2528	2528
2529	2529	(4) 30 POINTS AWARDED BASED ON WHETHER THE APPLI CANT IS 51% 12
2530	2530	OR MORE OWNED BY MEMBERS OF A GROUP T HAT HAS BEEN HISTORI CALLY 13
2531	2531	NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE ENFORCEMENT O F THE CANNABIS PROHI BITION; 14
2532	2532
2533	2533	(5) 30 POINTS AWARDED BASED ON WHETHER THE APPLI CANT IS 51% 15
2534	2534	OR MORE OWNED AND CO NTROLLED BY STATE RESIDENTS WHO C AN PROVE 16
2535	2535	RESIDENCY IN EACH OF THE IMMEDIATELY PREC EDING 5 YEARS WITH T AX 17
2536	2536	RECORDS; 18
2537	2537
2538	2538	(6) 30 POINTS FOR A PLAN TO ENGAGE WITH THE COMM UNITY IN 19
2539	2539	WHICH THE APPLICANT WILL BE LOCATED ; 20
2540	2540
2541	2541	(7) 20 POINTS AWARDED FOR A DIVERSITY PLAN BASED ON A 21
2542	2542	NARRATIVE OF NOT MOR E THAN 2,500 WORDS THAT ESTABLISH ES A GOAL OF 22
2543	2543	DIVERSITY IN OWNERSH IP, MANAGEMENT , EMPLOYMENT , AND CONTRACTING TO 23
2544	2544	ENSURE THAT DIVERSE PARTICIPANTS AND GRO UPS ARE AFFORDED EQU ALITY OF 24
2545	2545	OPPORTUNITY ; 25
2546	2546
2547	2547	(8) 10 POINTS AWARDED FOR T HE SUITABILITY OF TH E EMPLOYEE 26
2548	2548	TRAINING PLAN BASED ON THE EXTENT TO WHI CH THE APPLICANT ’S TRAINING PLAN 27
2549	2549	WILL ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND THE RULES AND LAWS , ARE 28
2550	2550	KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT SECURITY MEASURES AN D OPERATING PROCEDUR ES, AND 29
2551	2551	ARE ABLE TO ADVISE C ONSUMERS ON HOW TO S AFELY CONSUME PRODUC TS AND 30
2552	2552	USE INDIVIDUAL PRODU CTS THAT ARE OFFERED ; 31
2553	2553
2554	2554	(9) 15 POINTS AWARDED FOR L ABOR AND EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES 32
2555	2555	BASED ON PLANS TO PR OVIDE A SAFE, HEALTHY, AND ECONOMICALLY BEN EFICIAL 33
2556	2556	WORKING ENVIRON MENT FOR THE CANNABI S ESTABLISHMENT ’S AGENTS, 34
2557	2557	INCLUDING CODES OF C ONDUCT, HEALTH CARE BENEFITS , EDUCATIONAL 35 56 SENATE BILL 692
2558	2558
2559	2559
2560	2560	BENEFITS, RETIREMENT BENEFITS , AND LIVING WAGE STAN DARDS; 1
2561	2561
2562	2562	(10) 10 POINTS AWARDED BASED ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN OF 2
2563	2563	ACTION TO MINIMIZE T HE CARBON FOOTPRINT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT , AND 3
2564	2564	RESOURCE NEEDS FOR T HE DISPENSARY ; AND 4
2565	2565
2566	2566	(11) 5 POINTS AWARDED BASED ON WHETHER THE APPLI CANT IS 26% 5
2567	2567	OR MORE CONTROLLED A ND OWNED BY AN INDIV IDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET 6
2568	2568	THE QUALIFICATIONS O F A VETERAN AS DEFIN ED BY § 9–901 OF THE STATE 7
2569	2569	GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 8
2570	2570
2571	2571	(D) (1) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , AN 9
2572	2572	APPLICANT MAY APPLY FOR CONDITIONAL APPR OVAL IF THE APPLICAN T HAS NOT 10
2573	2573	PURCHASED OR LEASED THE PROPERTY WHERE T HE CANNABIS ESTABLIS HMENT 11
2574	2574	WOULD BE LOCATE D. 12
2575	2575
2576	2576	(II) THE COMMISSION MAY REQUIR E AN APPLICANT TO SP ECIFY 13
2577	2577	THE LOCALITY IN WHIC H THE CANNABIS ESTAB LISHMENT IS INTENDED TO 14
2578	2578	OPERATE. 15
2579	2579
2580	2580	(2) IF THE APPLICANT IS O THERWISE QUALIFIED F OR LICENSURE , 16
2581	2581	THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE CONDITIONAL APPR OVAL. 17
2582	2582
2583	2583	(3) (I) SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE 18
2584	2584	COMMISSION MAY REQUIR E AN APPLICANT TO SE CURE A SITE WITHIN A 19
2585	2585	REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. 20
2586	2586
2587	2587	(II) THE COMMISSION SHALL ALLO W AN APPLICANT TO SH OW 21
2588	2588	CAUSE TO ALLOW ONE O R MORE EXTENSIONS TO THE DEADLINE FOR EVENTS 22
2589	2589	BEYOND THE APPLICANT ’S CONTROL. 23
2590	2590
2591	2591	(4) ONCE THE APPLICANT PR OVIDES THE COMMISSION WITH A 24
2592	2592	COMPLETED , SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICA TION THAT IDENTIFIES THE PROPERTY 25
2593	2593	WHERE THE CANNABIS E STABLISHMENT IS TO B E LOCATED, THE COMMISSION 26
2594	2594	SHALL FORWARD TH E INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL REGULATORY AUT HORITY AND 27
2595	2595	APPROVE OR REJECT TH E FINAL APPLICATION WITHIN 45 DAYS. 28
2596	2596
2597	2597	(E) THE COMMISSION MAY PROVID E THAT ANY APPLICANT THAT SCORES 29
2598	2598	ABOVE A SPECIFIED NU MBER OF POINTS MUST BE ENTERED INTO A LO TTERY THAT 30
2599	2599	IS CONDUCTED IN A MANNER THAT ENS URES EQUITABLE DISTR IBUTION OF 31
2600	2600	RETAILERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 32
2601	2601
2602	2602	23–405. 33 SENATE BILL 692 57
2603	2603
2604	2604
2605	2605
2606	2606	(A) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2025, THE 1
2607	2607	COMMISSION SHALL EVAL UATE THE CANNABIS MA RKET IN THE STATE AND SOLICIT 2
2608	2608	INPUT FROM THE PUBLI C AND STAKEHOLDERS REGARDING : 3
2609	2609
2610	2610	(1) DIVERSITY IN OWNERSHI P, MANAGEMENT , AND STAFFING OF THE 4
2611	2611	CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN THE STATE; 5
2612	2612
2613	2613	(2) WHETHER THE TAX RATE AND REVENUE ARE MEET ING GOALS OF 6
2614	2614	DISPLACING THE ILLIC IT MARKET AND GENERA TING REVENUE FOR REI NVESTMENT 7
2615	2615	IN COMMUNITIES , CANNABIS TRAINING , AND OTHER NEEDS , INCLUDING A REVIEW 8
2616	2616	OF HOW TAX RATES COM PARE TO OTHER STATES ; AND 9
2617	2617
2618	2618	(3) ANY ANTICIPATED OR AC TUAL CHANGES TO FEDE RAL LAW OR 10
2619	2619	OTHER FACTORS THAT M AY WARRANT REVISIONS TO THIS TITLE. 11
2620	2620
2621	2621	(B) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, AND BEFORE ANY ADDIT IONAL 12
2622	2622	CULTIVATION LICENSES ARE ISSUED UNDER § 23–406 OF THIS SUBTITLE , THE 13
2623	2623	COMMISSION SHALL COMM ISSION A STUDY OF TH E CANNABIS MARKET IN THE 14
2624	2624	STATE, WHICH SHALL ADDRESS : 15
2625	2625
2626	2626	(1) THE EXTENT TO WHICH C ONSUMERS HAVE SAFE , CONVENIENT 16
2627	2627	ACCESS TO LEGAL CANN ABIS AT PRICES THAT ARE LOWER THAN IN TH E ILLICIT 17
2628	2628	MARKET; 18
2629	2629
2630	2630	(2) WHETHER CANNABIS CULT IVATORS, PROCESSORS , AND 19
2631	2631	RETAILERS ARE MEETIN G DEMAND WITHOUT CRE ATING A SURPLUS ; AND 20
2632	2632
2633	2633	(3) WHETHER ADDITIONAL SU PPLY IS NEEDED. 21
2634	2634
2635	2635	(C) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1 EACH YEAR , BEGINNING IN 2025, THE 22
2636	2636	COMMISSION SHALL REPO RT ITS RECOMMENDATIO NS, BASED ON THE FINDING S OF 23
2637	2637	THE SOLICITATIONS CO NDUCTED UNDER SUBSEC TION (A) OF THIS SECTION, TO THE 24
2638	2638	GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT 25
2639	2639	ARTICLE, FOR ANY CHANGES TO C ANNABIS REGULATION A ND TAXATION , 26
2640	2640	INCLUDING: 27
2641	2641
2642	2642	(1) ANY CHANGES TO THE TA X RATE AND METHOD ; AND 28
2643	2643
2644	2644	(2) WHETHER AND UNDER WHA T CONDITIONS TO ALLO W THE IMPORT 29
2645	2645	AND EXPORT OF CANNAB IS TO OTHER STATES . 30
2646	2646
2647	2647	23–406. 31 58 SENATE BILL 692
2648	2648
2649	2649
2650	2650
2651	2651	(A) THE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT ADDITIONAL AP PLICATIONS FOR 1
2652	2652	CULTIVATORS AND RETA ILERS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2027. 2
2653	2653
2654	2654	(B) ADDITIONAL CULTIVATIO N LICENSES MAY BE IS SUED ONLY IF THE 3
2655	2655	STUDY DONE IN ACCORD ANCE WITH § 23–405(B) OF THIS SUBTITLE DET ERMINES 4
2656	2656	THAT ADDITIONAL SUPP LY IS NEEDED. 5
2657	2657
2658	2658	(C) THE NUMBER OF LICENSE S ISSUED AND THE LIC ENSED CULTIVATION 6
2659	2659	SPACE SHALL BE DESIG NED TO MEET PROJECTE D DEMAND, INCLUDING FACTORING 7
2660	2660	IN THE PERCENT AGE OF LICENSED SPACE TH AT MAY NOT BE USED . 8
2661	2661
2662	2662	(D) IN DETERMINING THE NU MBER OF ADDITIONAL R ETAIL OR 9
2663	2663	CULTIVATION LICENSES TO I SSUE, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONS IDER: 10
2664	2664
2665	2665	(1) THE EXTENT TO WHICH C ONSUMERS WILL HAVE S AFE, 11
2666	2666	CONVENIENT ACCESS TO LEGAL CANNABIS AT PR ICES THAT ARE LOWER THAN THE 12
2667	2667	ILLICIT MARKET; 13
2668	2668
2669	2669	(2) EXPECTED CULTIVATION EXPANSION BY EXISTIN G CULTIVATOR S; 14
2670	2670	AND 15
2671	2671
2672	2672	(3) THE ANTICIPATED OR AC TUAL OPENING OF AN I NTERSTATE OR 16
2673	2673	INTERNATIONAL MARKET FOR CANNABIS PRODUCT S. 17
2674	2674
2675	2675	(E) LICENSES UNDER THIS S ECTION SHALL BE ISSU ED BY SCORING ALL 18
2676	2676	APPLICATIONS AND ENT ERING ALL APPLICANTS THAT ARE DETERMINED TO HAVE A 19
2677	2677	SUFFICIENT SCORE INTO A LOTT ERY. 20
2678	2678
2679	2679	23–407. 21
2680	2680
2681	2681	(A) ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2024, THE COMMISSION SHALL BEGI N 22
2682	2682	ACCEPTING AND PROCES SING APPLICATIONS FO R LICENSES TO OPERAT E AS A 23
2683	2683	CLASS A OR CLASS B PROCESSOR FROM ANY Q UALIFIED APPLICANT . 24
2684	2684
2685	2685	(B) ON RECEIVING AN APPLI CATION OR A RENEWAL APPLICATION FOR A 25
2686	2686	CLASS A OR CLASS B PROCESSOR, THE COMMISSION SHALL IMME DIATELY 26
2687	2687	FORWARD A COPY OF EA CH APPLICATION AND H ALF OF THE LICENSE A PPLICATION 27
2688	2688	FEE TO THE LOCAL REG ULATORY AUTHORITY FO R THE LOCALITY IN WH ICH THE 28
2689	2689	APPLICANT DESIRES TO OPERATE THE CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENT , UNLESS THE 29
2690	2690	LOCALITY HAS NOT DES IGNATED A LOCAL REGU LATORY AUTHORITY . 30
2691	2691
2692	2692	(C) WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING AN APPLICATION OR A RENEWAL 31 SENATE BILL 692 59
2693	2693
2694	2694
2695	2695	APPLICATION, THE COMMISSION SHALL ISSU E A LICENSE OR A CONDITIONAL 1
2696	2696	LICENSE TO THE APPLI CANT, UNLESS THE COMMISSION: 2
2697	2697
2698	2698	(1) FINDS THAT THE APPLICANT IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH 3
2699	2699	REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER § 23–301 OF THIS TITLE; OR 4
2700	2700
2701	2701	(2) IS NOTIFIED BY THE RE LEVANT LOCALITY THAT THE APPLICANT 5
2702	2702	IS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL ZONING OR PLANNING LAWS . 6
2703	2703
2704	2704	(D) (1) AN APPLICANT MAY APPL Y FOR CONDITIONAL AP PROVAL IF THE 7
2705	2705	APPLICANT HAS NOT PU RCHASED OR LEASED TH E PROPERTY WHERE THE 8
2706	2706	PROCESSOR WOULD BE L OCATED. 9
2707	2707
2708	2708	(2) IF THE APPLICANT IS O THERWISE QUALIFIED F OR LICENSURE , 10
2709	2709	THE COMMISSION SHALL PROV IDE CONDITIONAL APPR OVAL. 11
2710	2710
2711	2711	(3) ONCE THE APPLICANT PR OVIDES THE COMMISSION WITH A 12
2712	2712	COMPLETED , SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICA TION THAT IDENTIFIES THE PROPERTY 13
2713	2713	WHERE THE PROCESSOR IS TO BE LOCATED, THE COMMISSION SHALL FORW ARD THE 14
2714	2714	INFORMATION TO THE LOCAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND APPROV E OR REJECT 15
2715	2715	THE FINAL APPLICATIO N WITHIN 45 DAYS. 16
2716	2716
2717	2717	SUBTITLE 5. LOCAL REGULATIONS. 17
2718	2718
2719	2719	23–501. 18
2720	2720
2721	2721	(A) AN ON–SITE CONSUMPTION EST ABLISHMENT MAY OPERA TE ONLY IF 19
2722	2722	THE LOCAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY IN THE LOC ALITY WHERE IT IS L OCATED 20
2723	2723	ISSUED A PERMIT OR L ICENSE THAT EXPRESSL Y ALLOWS THE OPERATI ON OF THE 21
2724	2724	ON–SITE CONSUMPTION EST ABLISHMENT . 22
2725	2725
2726	2726	(B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SUBSECTION , A LOCALITY MAY 23
2727	2727	PROHIBIT THE OPERATI ON OF ANY OR ALL TYP ES OF CANNABIS ESTAB LISHMENTS 24
2728	2728	WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION THROUGH THE ENACTMENT OF AN ORDINANCE OR 25
2729	2729	THROUGH AN INITIATED OR REFERRED MEASURE . 26
2730	2730
2731	2731	(2) AN INITIATED OR REFER RED MEASURE TO PROHI BIT THE 27
2732	2732	OPERATION OF CANNABI S ESTABLISHMENTS MUS T APPEAR ON A GENERA L 28
2733	2733	ELECTION BALLOT . 29
2734	2734
2735	2735	(3) A LOCALITY MAY N OT: 30
2736	2736
2737	2737	(I) PROHIBIT TRANSPORTATI ON THROUGH THE LOCAL ITY OR 31 60 SENATE BILL 692
2738	2738
2739	2739
2740	2740	DELIVERIES WITHIN TH E LOCALITY BY CANNAB IS ESTABLISHMENTS LO CATED IN 1
2741	2741	OTHER JURISDICTIONS ; 2
2742	2742
2743	2743	(II) PROHIBIT OR IMPACT A BUSINESS LICENSED UN DER TITLE 3
2744	2744	13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE , REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE BUSINESS IS 4
2745	2745	GRANTED A LICENSE UN DER THIS TITLE; OR 5
2746	2746
2747	2747	(III) PREVENT AN ENTITY LIC ENSED UNDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 6
2748	2748	33 OF THIS ARTICLE THAT IS IN COMPLIANCE WIT H ALL RELEVANT MEDIC AL 7
2749	2749	CANNABIS REGULATIONS FROM BEING GRANTED A LICENSE UNDER THIS TITLE. 8
2750	2750
2751	2751	(C) A PERSON SEEKING LICEN SURE AS A CANNABIS E STABLISHMENT SHALL 9
2752	2752	MEET LOCAL ZONING AN D PLANNING REQUIREME NTS. 10
2753	2753
2754	2754	(D) A LOCALITY MAY NOT NEG OTIATE OR ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH 11
2755	2755	A CANNABIS ESTABLISH MENT OR A CANNABIS E STABLISHMENT APPLICA NT 12
2756	2756	REQUIRING THAT THE CANNABIS ES TABLISHMENT OR APPLI CANT PROVIDE MONEY , 13
2757	2757	DONATIONS, IN–KIND CONTRIBUTIONS , SERVICES, OR ANYTHING OF VALUE TO THE 14
2758	2758	LOCALITY. 15
2759	2759
2760	2760	SUBTITLE 6. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL IMMUNITIES AND LIABILITIES. 16
2761	2761
2762	2762	23–601. 17
2763	2763
2764	2764	(A) IN THIS SECTION , “PROCESSING” AND “MANUFACTURING ” DO NOT 18
2765	2765	INCLUDE: 19
2766	2766
2767	2767	(1) PERFORMING EXTRACTION S USING SOLVENTS OTH ER THAN 20
2768	2768	WATER, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL , VEGETABLE OIL , OR FOOD–GRADE 21
2769	2769	ETHANOL; OR 22
2770	2770
2771	2771	(2) EXTRACTING COMPOUNDS FROM CANNABIS USING ETHANOL IN 23
2772	2772	THE PRESENCE OR VICI NITY OF OPEN FLAME . 24
2773	2773
2774	2774	(B) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, EXCEPT AS 25
2775	2775	OTHERWISE PROVIDED I N THIS SUBTITLE , THE FOLLOWING ACTS A RE NOT 26
2776	2776	UNLAWFUL UNDER STATE LAW OR THE LAW OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIV ISION OF THE 27
2777	2777	STATE OR A BASIS FOR SEIZURE OR FORFEITUR E OF ASSETS UNDER STATE LAW FOR 28
2778	2778	INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD: 29
2779	2779
2780	2780	(1) POSSESSING, CONSUMING , GROWING, USING, PROCESSING, 30
2781	2781	MANUFACTURING , PURCHASING , OR TRANSPORTING AN A MOUNT OF CANNABIS 31
2782	2782	THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THE PERSONAL USE AMO UNT; 32 SENATE BILL 692 61
2783	2783
2784	2784
2785	2785
2786	2786	(2) TRANSFERRING AN AMOUN T OF CANNABIS THAT D OES NOT 1
2787	2787	EXCEED THE PERSONAL USE AMOUNT TO AN IND IVIDUAL WHO IS AT LE AST 21 YEARS 2
2788	2788	OLD WITHOUT REMUNERA TION; 3
2789	2789
2790	2790	(3) CONTROLLING PROPERTY WHERE AC TIONS DESCRIBED IN I TEM 4
2791	2791	(1) OR (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION O CCUR; OR 5
2792	2792
2793	2793	(4) ASSISTING ANOTHER IND IVIDUAL WHO IS AT LE AST 21 YEARS OLD 6
2794	2794	IN AN ACT DESCRIBED IN ITEM (1) OR (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION . 7
2795	2795
2796	2796	(C) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, UNLESS THE 8
2797	2797	COURT OR THE MARYLAND PAROLE COMMISSION MAKES A SP ECIFIC FINDING THAT 9
2798	2798	AN INDIVIDUAL DEFEND ANT’S, PAROLEE’S, OR PROBATIONER ’S USE OF CANNABIS 10
2799	2799	COULD CREATE A DANGE R TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR OTHER PERSONS , IT IS NOT A 11
2800	2800	VIOLATION OF CONDITI ONS OF PRETRIAL RELE ASE, PAROLE, OR PROBATION TO : 12
2801	2801
2802	2802	(1) ENGAGE IN CONDUCT ALL OWED BY THIS SECTION ; OR 13
2803	2803
2804	2804	(2) TEST POSITIVE FOR CAN NABIS, 14
2805	2805	DELTA–9–TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL , OR ANY OTHER CANNABI NOID. 15
2806	2806
2807	2807	23–602. 16
2808	2808
2809	2809	(A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, IT IS NOT 17
2810	2810	UNLAWFUL UNDER STATE LAW AND MAY NOT BE A B ASIS FOR SEIZURE OR 18
2811	2811	FORFEITURE OF ASSETS UNDER STATE LAW FOR A CANNA BIS ESTABLISHMENT WI TH 19
2812	2812	A VALID LICENSE , OR A PERSON WHO IS A CTING IN THE PERSON ’S CAPACITY AS A 20
2813	2813	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT AGENT, TO ENGAGE IN ANY ACT IVITIES INVOLVING 21
2814	2814	CANNABIS, CANNABIS ACCESSORIES , OR CANNABIS PRODUCTS IF THE PERSON 22
2815	2815	CONDUCTING THE ACTIV ITIES POSSESSES A CU RRENT, VALID LICENSE TO OPE RATE 23
2816	2816	A CANNABIS ESTABLISH MENT, OR IS ACTING IN THE PERSON’S CAPACITY AS A 24
2817	2817	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT AGENT, AND THE ACTIVITIES A RE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF 25
2818	2818	ACTIVITIES ALLOWED B Y THE COMMISSION FOR THAT T YPE OF CANNABIS 26
2819	2819	ESTABLISHMENT . 27
2820	2820
2821	2821	(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PREVENT THE IMPOSITI ON OF PENALTIES FOR 28
2822	2822	VIOLATING THIS TITLE OR REGULATIONS ADOPT ED BY THE COMMISSION OR 29
2823	2823	LOCALITIES IN ACCORD ANCE WITH THIS TITLE. 30
2824	2824
2825	2825	23–603. 31
2826	2826
2827	2827	(A) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY O THER PROVISION OF LA W, IT IS NOT 32 62 SENATE BILL 692
2828	2828
2829	2829
2830	2830	UNLAWFUL UNDER STATE LAW OR THE LAW OF A POLITICAL SUBDI VISION OF THE 1
2831	2831	STATE OR A BASIS FOR SEIZURE OR FORFEITUR E OF ASSETS FOR AN I NDIVIDUAL 2
2832	2832	WHO IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD TO MANUFACTURE , POSSESS, OR PURCHASE 3
2833	2833	CANNABIS ACCESSORIES , OR TO DISTRIBUTE OR SELL CANNABIS ACCESS ORIES TO: 4
2834	2834
2835	2835	(1) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD; OR 5
2836	2836
2837	2837	(2) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A QUALIFYING PATIENT UNDER TITLE 13, 6
2838	2838	SUBTITLE 33 OF THIS ARTICLE. 7
2839	2839
2840	2840	(B) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AT 8
2841	2841	LEAST 21 YEARS OLD MAY MANUFA CTURE, POSSESS, AND PURCHASE CANNABI S 9
2842	2842	ACCESSORIES AND DIST RIBUTE OR SELL CANNA BIS ACCESSORIES TO A PERSON WHO 10
2843	2843	IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD. 11
2844	2844
2845	2845	(C) THIS SECTION IS I NCLUDED TO SATISFY T HE REQUIREMENTS OF 21 12
2846	2846	U.S.C. § 863(F) BY AUTHORIZING , UNDER STATE LAW, A PERSON IN COMPLIAN CE 13
2847	2847	WITH THIS SUBTITLE T O MANUFACTURE , POSSESS, OR DISTRIBUTE CANNAB IS 14
2848	2848	ACCESSORIES. 15
2849	2849
2850	2850	(D) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PREVENT THE IMPOSITI ON OF PENALTIES FOR 16
2851	2851	VIOLATING CONSUMER S AFETY OR BUSINESS LI CENSING LAWS OR REGU LATIONS. 17
2852	2852
2853	2853	23–604. 18
2854	2854
2855	2855	(A) ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ACTING IN AC CORDANCE WITH THE 19
2856	2856	PROVISIONS OF THIS T ITLE MAY NOT BE SUBJ ECT TO ARREST , PROSECUTION , OR 20
2857	2857	ANY CIVIL OR ADMINIS TRATIVE PENALTY, INCLUDING A CIVIL PE NALTY OR 21
2858	2858	DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY A PROFESSIONAL LI CENSING BOARD , OR BE DENIED ANY 22
2859	2859	RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE , FOR THE USE , POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE , 23
2860	2860	TRANSPORTATION , OR DISTRIBUTION OF C ANNABIS: 24
2861	2861
2862	2862	(1) AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD IN POSSESSI ON 25
2863	2863	OF AN AMOUNT OF CANN ABIS OR CANNABIS PRO DUCT FOR ADULT USE T HAT DOES 26
2864	2864	NOT EXCEED THE PERSO NAL USE AMOUNT ; 27
2865	2865
2866	2866	(2) A CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT LICENSED UNDER TH IS TITLE OR 28
2867	2867	THE CANNABIS ESTABLI SHMENT AGENT ; 29
2868	2868
2869	2869	(3) A HOSPITAL, MEDICAL FACILI TY, OR HOSPICE PROGRAM W HERE 30
2870	2870	A QUALIFYING PATIENT IS RECEIVING TREATME NT; OR 31
2871	2871
2872	2872	(4) A THIRD–PARTY VENDOR AUTHORI ZED BY THE COMMISSION TO 32 SENATE BILL 692 63
2873	2873
2874	2874
2875	2875	TEST, TRANSPORT, OR DISPOSE OF CANNAB IS, CANNABIS PRODUCTS , OR CANNABIS 1
2876	2876	WASTE UNDER THE PROV ISIONS OF THIS TITLE. 2
2877	2877
2878	2878	(B) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, NEITHER THE STATE NOR 3
2879	2879	ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS MAY IMP OSE ANY PENALTY OR D ENY ANY 4
2880	2880	BENEFIT OR ENTITLEME NT FOR CONDUCT PERMI TTED UNDER THIS TITL E OR FOR 5
2881	2881	THE PRESENCE OF CANN ABINOIDS OR CANNABIN OID METABOLITE S IN THE URINE, 6
2882	2882	BLOOD, SALIVA, BREATH, HAIR, OR OTHER TISSUE OR F LUID OF AN INDIVIDUA L WHO 7
2883	2883	IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD. 8
2884	2884
2885	2885	(2) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, NEITHER THE STATE NOR 9
2886	2886	ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS MAY DEN Y A DRIVER ’S LICENSE, A 10
2887	2887	PROFESSIONAL LICENSE , HOUSING ASSISTANCE , SOCIAL SERVICES , OR OTHER 11
2888	2888	BENEFITS BASED ON CA NNABIS USE OR FOR TH E PRESENCE OF CANNAB INOIDS OR 12
2889	2889	CANNABINOID METABOLI TES IN THE URINE , BLOOD, SALIVA, BREATH, HAIR, OR 13
2890	2890	OTHER TISSUE OR FLUI D OF AN INDIVIDUAL W HO IS AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD. 14
2891	2891
2892	2892	(C) AN INDIVIDUAL MAY NOT BE DENIED CUSTODY OF OR VISITATION WITH 15
2893	2893	A MINOR FOR ACTING I N ACCORDANCE WITH TH IS TITLE, UNLESS THE INDIVIDUA L’S 16
2894	2894	BEHAVIOR IS SUCH THA T IT CREATES AN UNRE ASONABLE DANGER TO T HE MINOR 17
2895	2895	THAT CAN BE CLEARLY ARTICULATED AND SUBSTANTIATED . 18
2896	2896
2897	2897	(D) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, NEITHER THE STATE NOR ANY 19
2898	2898	OF ITS POLITICAL SUB DIVISIONS MAY DENY E MPLOYMENT OR A CONTR ACT TO AN 20
2899	2899	INDIVIDUAL FOR ENGAG ING IN CONDUCT AUTHO RIZED UNDER THIS TIT LE FOR: 21
2900	2900
2901	2901	(1) A PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A NONVIOLENT CANNABIS OFFENSE 22
2902	2902	THAT DOES NOT INVOLV E DISTRIBUTION TO MI NORS; OR 23
2903	2903
2904	2904	(2) TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE PRESENCE OF CANN ABINOIDS OR 24
2905	2905	CANNABINOID METABOLI TES IN THE URINE , BLOOD, SALIVA, BREATH, HAIR, OR 25
2906	2906	OTHER TISSUE OR FLUI D OF THE INDIVIDUAL ’S BODY. 26
2907	2907
2908	2908	(E) FOR THE PURPOSES OF M EDICAL CARE, INCLUDING ORGAN AND TISSUE 27
2909	2909	TRANSPLANTS : 28
2910	2910
2911	2911	(1) THE USE OF CANNABIS D OES NOT CONSTITUTE T HE USE OF AN 29
2912	2912	ILLICIT SUBSTANCE OR OTHERWISE DISQUALIFY AN INDIVIDUAL FROM N EEDED 30
2913	2913	MEDICAL CARE ; AND 31
2914	2914
2915	2915	(2) MAY BE CONSIDERED ONL Y WITH RESPECT TO EV IDENCE–BASED 32
2916	2916	CLINICAL CRITERIA . 33
2917	2917	64 SENATE BILL 692
2918	2918
2919	2919
2920	2920	(F) (1) THIS SECTION DOES NOT PREVENT A GOVERNMENT EMPLOYER 1
2921	2921	FROM DISCIPLINING AN EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACTOR FOR : 2
2922	2922
2923	2923	(I) INGESTING CANNABIS IN THE WORKPLACE ; OR 3
2924	2924
2925	2925	(II) WORKING WHI LE IMPAIRED BY CANNA BIS. 4
2926	2926
2927	2927	(2) THE PROTECTIONS PROVI DED BY THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY TO 5
2928	2928	THE EXTENT THAT THEY CONFLICT WITH A GOVE RNMENT EMPLOYER ’S 6
2929	2929	OBLIGATIONS UNDER FE DERAL LAW OR TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WOU LD 7
2930	2930	DISQUALIFY THE ENTIT Y FROM A MONETARY OR LICENSING–RELATED BENEFIT 8
2931	2931	UNDER FEDERAL LAW . 9
2932	2932
2933	2933	(3) THIS SECTION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANY PERSON TO ENGAGE IN, 10
2934	2934	AND DOES NOT PREVENT THE IMPOSITION OF AN Y CIVIL, CRIMINAL, DISCIPLINARY, 11
2935	2935	OR OTHER PENALTIES , INCLUDING DISCIPLINE OR TERMINATION BY A 12
2936	2936	GOVERNMENT EMPLO YER, FOR ENGAGING IN , ANY TASK WHILE UNDER THE 13
2937	2937	INFLUENCE OF CANNABI S, WHEN DOING SO WOULD CONSTITUTE NEGLIGENC E OR 14
2938	2938	PROFESSIONAL MALPRAC TICE. 15
2939	2939
2940	2940	(4) THIS SECTION DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANY PERSON TO ENGAGE IN, 16
2941	2941	AND DOES NOT PREVENT THE IMPOSITION OF AN Y CIVIL, CRIMINAL, DISCIPLINE, OR 17
2942	2942	OTHER PENALTIES , INCLUDING DISCIPLINE OR TERMINATION BY A GOVERNMENT 18
2943	2943	EMPLOYER OR REVOCATI ON OF A DRIVER ’S LICENSE, FOR ENGAGING IN, DRIVING 19
2944	2944	WHILE IMPAIRED BY CA NNABIS. 20
2945	2945
2946	2946	(G) TO THE EXTENT ALLOWAB LE, A PERSON IS NOT CONS IDERED 21
2947	2947	INELIGIBLE TO POSSESS A FI REARM UNDER FEDERAL LAW OR TO BE AN UNLA WFUL 22
2948	2948	USER OF OR ADDICTED TO A CONTROLLED DANG EROUS SUBSTANCE SOLE LY 23
2949	2949	BECAUSE OF CONDUCT A UTHORIZED UNDER THIS TITLE. 24
2950	2950
2951	2951	(H) A PERSON MAY NOT BE DE NIED A STATE FIREARM LICENSE OR PERMIT, 25
2952	2952	INCLUDING A CONCEALED CARRY PERM IT, SOLELY BECAUSE OF CO NDUCT 26
2953	2953	AUTHORIZED UNDER THI S TITLE. 27
2954	2954
2955	2955	23–605. 28
2956	2956
2957	2957	(A) A HOLDER OF A PROFESSI ONAL OR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE MAY NOT 29
2958	2958	BE SUBJECT TO PROFES SIONAL DISCIPLINE FO R PROVIDING ADVICE O R SERVICES 30
2959	2959	RELATED TO CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NTS OR APPLICATIONS TO OPERATE 31
2960	2960	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NTS ON THE BASIS THA T CANNABIS IS ILLEGA L UNDER 32
2961	2961	FEDERAL LAW . 33
2962	2962	SENATE BILL 692 65
2963	2963
2964	2964
2965	2965	(B) AN APPLICANT FOR A PR OFESSIONAL OR OCCUPA TIONAL LICENSE MAY 1
2966	2966	NOT BE DENIED A LICE NSE BASED ON PREVIOU S EMPLOYMENT RELATED TO 2
2967	2967	CANNABIS ESTAB LISHMENTS OPERATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW. 3
2968	2968
2969	2969	23–606. 4
2970	2970
2971	2971	(A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF STATE LAW, ACTIONS RELATED TO C ANNABIS 5
2972	2972	ARE CONSIDERED LAWFU L AS LONG AS THEY AR E IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS TITLE. 6
2973	2973
2974	2974	(B) AN AGENCY OR A POLITI CAL SUBDIVISION OF T HE STATE MAY NOT RELY 7
2975	2975	ON A VIOLATION OF FE DERAL LAW RELATED TO CANNABIS AS THE SOLE BASIS FOR 8
2976	2976	TAKING AN ADVERSE AC TION AGAINST A PERSO N. 9
2977	2977
2978	2978	23–607. 10
2979	2979
2980	2980	(A) IT IS THE PUBLIC POLI CY OF THE STATE THAT CONTRACTS RELATED TO 11
2981	2981	THE OPERATION OF A C ANNABIS ESTABLISHMEN T LICENSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH 12
2982	2982	THIS SUBTITLE ARE EN FORCEABLE. 13
2983	2983
2984	2984	(B) IT IS THE PUBLIC POLI CY OF THE STATE THAT NO CONTRAC T ENTERED 14
2985	2985	INTO BY A LICENSED C ANNABIS ESTABLISHMEN T OR ITS AGENTS AS A UTHORIZED IN 15
2986	2986	ACCORDANCE WITH A VA LID LICENSE, OR BY THOSE WHO ALLO W PROPERTY TO BE 16
2987	2987	USED BY A CANNABIS E STABLISHMENT , ITS EMPLOYEES , OR ITS AGENTS AS 17
2988	2988	AUTHORIZED IN ACCORD ANCE WITH A VALID LI CENSE, SHALL BE UNENFORCEAB LE 18
2989	2989	ON THE BASIS THAT CU LTIVATING, OBTAINING, MANUFACTURING , DISTRIBUTING, 19
2990	2990	DISPENSING, TRANSPORTING , SELLING, POSSESSING, OR USING CANNABIS IS 20
2991	2991	PROHIBITED BY FEDERA L LAW. 21
2992	2992
2993	2993	23–608. 22
2994	2994
2995	2995	(A) A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFI CER EMPLOYED BY AN A GENCY THAT 23
2996	2996	RECEIVES STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT FUNDS MAY NOT E XPEND STATE OR 24
2997	2997	LOCAL RESOURCES , INCLUDING THE OFFICE R’S TIME, TO EFFECT ANY ARREST OR 25
2998	2998	SEIZURE OF CANNABIS , OR CONDUCT ANY INVES TIGATION, ON THE SOLE BASIS OF 26
2999	2999	ACTIVITY THE OFFICER BELIEVES TO CONSTITU TE A VIOLATION OF FE DERAL LAW IF 27
3000	3000	THE OFFICER HAS REAS ON TO BELIEVE THAT T HE ACTIVITY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH 28
3001	3001	THIS TITLE. 29
3002	3002
3003	3003	(B) A LAW ENFORCEME NT OFFICER MAY NOT E XPEND STATE OR LOCAL 30
3004	3004	RESOURCES, INCLUDING THE OFFICE R’S TIME, TO PROVIDE ANY INFOR MATION OR 31
3005	3005	LOGISTICAL SUPPORT R ELATED TO ACTIVITY D ESCRIBED IN SUBSECTI ON (A) OF 32
3006	3006	THIS SECTION TO ANY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEM ENT AUTHORITY OR PRO SECUTING 33
3007	3007	ENTITY. 34 66 SENATE BILL 692
3008	3008
3009	3009
3010	3010
3011	3011	SUBTITLE 7. CONSTRUCTION OF TITLE. 1
3012	3012
3013	3013	23–701. 2
3014	3014
3015	3015	(A) THIS TITLE MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO AUTHORI ZE AN INDIVIDUAL TO 3
3016	3016	ENGAGE IN, AND DOES NOT PREVENT THE IMPOSITION OF AN Y CIVIL, CRIMINAL, OR 4
3017	3017	OTHER PENALTIES FOR : 5
3018	3018
3019	3019	(1) UNDERTAKING A TASK WH ILE UNDER THE INF LUENCE OF 6
3020	3020	CANNABIS, WHEN DOING SO WOULD CONSTITUTE NEGLIGENC E OR PROFESSIONAL 7
3021	3021	MALPRACTICE ; 8
3022	3022
3023	3023	(2) OPERATING, NAVIGATING, OR BEING IN ACTUAL P HYSICAL 9
3024	3024	CONTROL OF A MOTOR V EHICLE, AIRCRAFT, OR BOAT WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE 10
3025	3025	OF CANNABIS; OR 11
3026	3026
3027	3027	(3) POSSESSING CANNABIS , INCLUDING CANNABIS P RODUCTS, IN A 12
3028	3028	LOCAL DETENTION FACI LITY, COUNTY JAIL, STATE PRISON, REFORMATORY , OR 13
3029	3029	OTHER CORRECTIONAL F ACILITY, INCLUDING A FACILITY FOR THE DETENTION OF 14
3030	3030	JUVENILE OFFENDERS . 15
3031	3031
3032	3032	(B) THIS TITLE MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FR OM 16
3033	3033	SMOKING CANNABIS IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE WHE RE TOBACCO SMOKING I S ALLOWED. 17
3034	3034
3035	3035	23–702. 18
3036	3036
3037	3037	(A) CONDUCT AUTHORIZED UN DER THIS TITLE MAY N OT BE THE BASIS FOR 19
3038	3038	DENYING PUBLIC BENEF ITS OR HOUSING OPPORTUNI TIES. 20
3039	3039
3040	3040	(B) IN THE CASE OF RESIDE NTIAL RENTAL PROPERTY , THE LANDLORD OR 21
3041	3041	PROPERTY MANAGER : 22
3042	3042
3043	3043	(1) MAY NOT PROHIBIT THE POSSESSION OF CANNAB IS OR THE 23
3044	3044	CONSUMPTION OF CANNA BIS BY MEANS OTHER THAN SMOKING ; AND 24
3045	3045
3046	3046	(2) MAY PROHIBIT THE SMOKING OF CANNA BIS PRODUCTS ON THE 25
3047	3047	PREMISES IF: 26
3048	3048
3049	3049	(I) THE PROPERTY HAS IN PLACE A SMOKE –FREE POLICY; AND 27
3050	3050
3051	3051	(II) THERE IS A DESIGNATED OUTDOOR SMOKING AREA . 28
3052	3052	SENATE BILL 692 67
3053	3053
3054	3054
3055	3055	(C) A SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR UNIVERSITY MAY NO T REFUSE TO ENROLL O R 1
3056	3056	OTHERWISE PENALIZE A N INDIVIDUAL SOLELY FOR CONDUCT A UTHORIZED UNDER 2
3057	3057	THIS TITLE UNLESS RE QUIRED TO DO SO BY FEDERAL L AW. 3
3058	3058
3059	3059	24–501. 4
3060	3060
3061	3061	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 5
3062	3062
3063	3063	(d) “Environmental tobacco OR CANNABIS smoke” means the complex mixture 6
3064	3064	formed from the escaping smoke of a burning tobacco OR CANNABIS product or smoke 7
3065	3065	exhaled by the smoker. 8
3066	3066
3067	3067	(g) “Smoking” means the burning of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other 9
3068	3068	matter or substance that contains tobacco OR CANNABIS. 10
3069	3069
3070	3070	24–502. 11
3071	3071
3072	3072	It is the intent of the General Assembly that the State protect the public and 12
3073	3073	employees from involuntary exposure to environmental tobacco OR CANNABIS smoke in 13
3074	3074	indoor areas open to the public, indoor places of employment, and certain designated 14
3075	3075	private areas. 15
3076	3076
3077	3077	24–503. 16
3078	3078
3079	3079	The purpose of this subtitle is to preserve and improve the health, comfort, and 17
3080	3080	environment of the people of the State by limiting exposure to environmental tobacco OR 18
3081	3081	CANNABIS smoke. 19
3082	3082
3083	3083	24–504. 20
3084	3084
3085	3085	Except as provided in § 24–505 of this subtitle, beginning on February 1, 2008, a 21
3086	3086	person may not smoke in: 22
3087	3087
3088	3088	(1) An indoor area open to the public; 23
3089	3089
3090	3090	(2) An indoor place in which meetings are open to the public in accordance 24
3091	3091	with Title 3 of the General Provisions Article; 25
3092	3092
3093	3093	(3) A government–owned or government–operated means of mass 26
3094	3094	transportation including buses, vans, trains, taxicabs, and limousines; or 27
3095	3095
3096	3096	(4) An indoor place of employment. 28
3097	3097
3098	3098	24–507. 29
3099	3099
3100	3100	(a) The Department shall adopt regulations that prohibit environmental tobacco 30 68 SENATE BILL 692
3101	3101
3102	3102
3103	3103	OR CANNABIS smoke in indoor areas open to the public. 1
3104	3104
3105	3105	(b) On or before September 30 of each year, the Department shall report, in 2
3106	3106	accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on: 3
3107	3107
3108	3108	(1) The enforcement efforts of the Department to eliminate environmental 4
3109	3109	tobacco OR CANNABIS smoke in indoor areas open to the public during the prior year; and 5
3110	3110
3111	3111	(2) The results of these enforcement efforts. 6
3112	3112
3113	3113	24–508. 7
3114	3114
3115	3115	(a) Subject to subsection (c) of this section and except as provided in subsection 8
3116	3116	(d) of this section, a person who violates a provision of this subtitle or a regulation adopted 9
3117	3117	under § 24–507(a) of this subtitle: 10
3118	3118
3119	3119	(1) For a first violation, shall be issued a written reprimand by the 11
3120	3120	Secretary or the Secretary’s designee; 12
3121	3121
3122	3122	(2) For a second violation, is subject to a civil penalty of $100; and 13
3123	3123
3124	3124	(3) For each subsequent violation, is subject to a civil penalty not less than 14
3125	3125	$250. 15
3126	3126
3127	3127	24–510. 16
3128	3128
3129	3129	Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to preempt a county or municipal 17
3130	3130	government from enacting and enforcing more stringent measures to reduce involuntary 18
3131	3131	exposure to environmental tobacco OR CANNABIS smoke. 19
3132	3132
3133	3133	Article – Tax – General 20
3134	3134
3135	3135	TITLE 12.5. CANNABIS TAX. 21
3136	3136
3137	3137	12.5–101. 22
3138	3138
3139	3139	(A) THIS SECTION IS NOT A PPLICABLE TO MEDICAL CANNABIS SOLD UNDER 23
3140	3140	TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 24
3141	3141
3142	3142	(B) (1) UNTIL APRIL 1, 2026, A 10% EXCISE TAX IS IMPOSE D ON THE SALE 25
3143	3143	OR TRANSFER OF CANNA BIS FROM A CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENT LICENS ED UNDER 26
3144	3144	TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE TO A CONSUMER . 27
3145	3145
3146	3146	(2) FROM APRIL 1, 2026, TO MARCH 30, 2028, BOTH INCLUSIVE , A 28
3147	3147	15% EXCISE TAX IS IMPOSED ON THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF CANNA BIS FROM A 29 SENATE BILL 692 69
3148	3148
3149	3149
3150	3150	CANNABIS ESTABLISHME NT LICENSED UNDER TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL 1
3151	3151	ARTICLE TO A CONSUMER . 2
3152	3152
3153	3153	(3) BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2028, A 20% EXCISE TAX IS IMPOSE D ON THE 3
3154	3154	SALE OR TRANSFER OF CANNABIS FROM A CANN ABIS ESTABLISHMENT LICENS ED 4
3155	3155	UNDER TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE TO A CONSUMER . 5
3156	3156
3157	3157	(C) SALES OF CANNABIS BY A CANNABIS ESTABLISH MENT TO A CONSUMER 6
3158	3158	ARE NOT SUBJECT TO A SALES AND USE TAX IM POSED UNDER TITLE 11 OF THIS 7
3159	3159	ARTICLE. 8
3160	3160
3161	3161	(D) (1) TAXES IMPOSED U NDER THIS SECTION SH ALL APPLY ONLY AT TH E 9
3162	3162	POINT OF SALE TO A C ONSUMER. 10
3163	3163
3164	3164	(2) NO TAXES SHALL APPLY TO SALES OR TRANSFER S OF CANNABIS 11
3165	3165	BETWEEN CANNABIS EST ABLISHMENTS . 12
3166	3166
3167	3167	12.5–102. 13
3168	3168
3169	3169	(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, A COUNTY, 14
3170	3170	A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION , A SPECIAL TAXING DISTR ICT, OR ANY OTHER 15
3171	3171	POLITICAL SUBDIVISIO N OF THE STATE MAY IMPOSE A SA LES TAX NOT EXCEEDIN G 16
3172	3172	3% ON SALES OF CANNABIS AND CANNABIS PRODUCT S TO CONSUMERS WITHI N ITS 17
3173	3173	JURISDICTION. 18
3174	3174
3175	3175	(B) A COUNTY, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATIO N, A SPECIAL TAXING DISTRI CT, 19
3176	3176	OR ANY OTHER POLITICAL SUBD IVISION OF THE STATE MAY NOT IMPOSE A SALES 20
3177	3177	TAX UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION ON S ALES OF MEDICAL CANN ABIS 21
3178	3178	UNDER TITLE 23 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE. 22
3179	3179
3180	3180	12.5–103. 23
3181	3181
3182	3182	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE CANNABIS REGULATION 24
3183	3183	FUND. 25
3184	3184
3185	3185	(2) THERE IS A CANNABIS REGULATION FUND. 26
3186	3186
3187	3187	(3) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO PROVIDE FU NDS TO BE 27
3188	3188	DISTRIBUTED AND USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH S UBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION. 28
3189	3189
3190	3190	(4) THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION SHALL ADMI NISTER 29
3191	3191	THE FUND. 30
3192	3192	70 SENATE BILL 692
3193	3193
3194	3194
3195	3195	(5) (I) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 1
3196	3196	SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 2
3197	3197
3198	3198	(II) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND 3
3199	3199	SEPARATELY, AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 4
3200	3200
3201	3201	(6) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 5
3202	3202
3203	3203	(I) ALL APPLICATION AND LICENSING FEES PAID BY CANNABIS 6
3204	3204	ESTABLISHMENTS UNDER TITLE 23, SUBTITLE 4 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL 7
3205	3205	ARTICLE; 8
3206	3206
3207	3207	(II) ALL TAXES COLLECTED UNDER § 12.5–101 OF THIS TITLE; 9
3208	3208	AND 10
3209	3209
3210	3210	(III) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED 11
3211	3211	FOR THE BENEFIT OF T HE FUND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH A NY CONDITIONS ADOPTE D 12
3212	3212	BY THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION FOR THE AC CEPTANCE OF 13
3213	3213	DONATIONS OR GIFTS T O THE FUND. 14
3214	3214
3215	3215	(7) THE FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR CAR RYING OUT THIS TITLE . 15
3216	3216
3217	3217	(8) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 16
3218	3218	IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 17
3219	3219
3220	3220	(9) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL PAY OUT MONEY FROM THE FUND AS 18
3221	3221	DIRECTED BY THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION. 19
3222	3222
3223	3223	(10) THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO AU DIT BY THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE 20
3224	3224	AUDITS AS PROVIDED FO R IN § 2–1220 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE. 21
3225	3225
3226	3226	(B) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 15 EACH YEAR, THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO 22
3227	3227	COMMISSION SHALL PROD UCE AND PUBLISH ON I TS WEBSITE A DETAILED REP ORT 23
3228	3228	ON REVENUES AND EXPE NDITURES FROM THE FUND, INCLUDING A DETAILED 24
3229	3229	REPORTING OF MONEY R ETAINED AND SPENT TO DEFRAY THE COST OF 25
3230	3230	ADMINISTRATION OF TH IS TITLE. 26
3231	3231
3232	3232	(C) THE FUND SHALL BE DISTRIB UTED AS FOLLOWS : 27
3233	3233
3234	3234	(1) THE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO COMMISSION SHALL RETA IN 28
3235	3235	SUFFICIENT MONEY TO DEFRAY THE ENTIRE CO ST OF ADMINISTRATION OF THIS 29
3236	3236	TITLE; AND 30
3237	3237	SENATE BILL 692 71
3238	3238
3239	3239
3240	3240	(2) REVENUES GENERATED I N EXCESS OF THE AMOU NT OF THOSE 1
3241	3241	NECESSARY TO DEFRAY THE ENTIRE COST OF A DMINISTRATION OF THI S TITLE 2
3242	3242	SHALL BE DISTRIBU TED NOT LESS THAN ON CE EVERY QUARTER AS FOLLOWS: 3
3243	3243
3244	3244	(I) 60% TO THE COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT AND REPAIR 4
3245	3245	FUND ESTABLISHED UNDE R § 23–204 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE; 5
3246	3246
3247	3247	(II) 2% TO THE SMALL, MINORITY, AND WOMEN–OWNED 6
3248	3248	BUSINESSES ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED U NDER § 5–1501 OF THE ECONOMIC 7
3249	3249	DEVELOPMENT ARTICLE; AND 8
3250	3250
3251	3251	(III) THE REMAINDER TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 9
3252	3252
3253	3253	12.5–104. 10
3254	3254
3255	3255	NOTWITHSTANDING ANY F EDERAL TAX LAW TO TH E CONTRARY , IN 11
3256	3256	COMPUTING NET INCOME FOR BUSINESSES EXEMP TED FROM CRIMINAL PE NALTIES 12
3257	3257	UNDER STATE LAW, THERE SHALL BE ALLOW ED AS A DEDUCTION FR OM STATE 13
3258	3258	TAXES ALL THE ORDINA RY AND NECESSARY EXP ENSES PAID OR INCURR ED DURING 14
3259	3259	THE TAXABLE YEAR IN CARRYING ON A TRADE OR BUSINESS AS A CAN NABIS 15
3260	3260	ESTABLISHMENT AS DEF INED BY § 23–101 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL ARTICLE, OR 16
3261	3261	AN ENTITY LICENSED U NDER TITLE 13, SUBTITLE 33 OF THE HEALTH – GENERAL 17
3262	3262	ARTICLE, INCLUDING REASONABLE ALLOWANCE FOR SALARI ES OR OTHER 18
3263	3263	COMPENSATION FOR PER SONAL SERVICES ACTUA LLY RENDERED . 19
3264	3264
3265	3265	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 20
3266	3266	1, 2022. 21