Maryland Hemp Law

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Update

An estimated 244 acres of hemp were grown in Maryland in 2020, down from an estimated 786 acres in 2019

On this page you will find Maryland hemp law along with a history of how Maryland hemp bills have progressed through the State capitol over the years.  We also provide links to important information concerning Maryland hemp programs and state agency advisories or opinion letters. Our goal is to keep the public, media and policy makers informed on each states status concerning hemp law and policy.


Maryland Hemp Resources

Maryland Department of Agriculture hemp program

Maryland Dept. of Agriculture proposed hemp regulations – 2018 (PDF)

Maryland Dept. of Agriculture proposed hemp regulations – 2017 (PDF)

Vote Hemp comments on proposed 2017 hemp regulations

Recent News

Vote Hemp comments on Maryland SB 516

Today Vote Hemp submitted comments on Maryland bill SB 516 specifically concerning the proposed THC milligram cap that would...

Maryland passes HB 1123 to legalize commercial hemp farming

On April 30, 2019, Governor Hogan signed HB 1123 into law. The bill, which was introduced by Delegate David...

Industrial hemp advocates hope this is their year in Annapolis

The industrial hemp plant has a lot of boosters. They praise it for its hardiness and versatility. They say...

Maryland Hemp Laws & Legislation

Maryland Hemp Legislative History

2019
HB 1123
Altering the name of the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program to be the Hemp Research Pilot Program; establishing the Hemp Farming Program to promote hemp as an agricultural commodity in the State, the commercial sale of hemp products within and outside the State and to facilitate the research of hemp and hemp products; requiring the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission, to adopt regulations to protect hemp growers and medical cannabis growers from the risk of cross-pollination; etc.

Position: Support
Status: Signed into law by Gov. Hogan on April 30, 2019

2018
HB 698

Repealing certain provisions of law that authorize under certain circumstances, a person to plant, cultivate, process, sell, or buy industrial hemp in the State; repealing an authorization for the Department of Agriculture or an institution of higher education to grow or cultivate industrial hemp; establishing an Industrial Hemp Pilot Program to authorize and facilitate the research of industrial hemp and certain aspects for agricultural, industrial, or commercial purposes.

POSITION: Support
STATUS: Signed into law by Gov. Hogan on 5/8/18

2016
HB 443

Authorizing the Department of Agriculture or an institution of higher education to grow or cultivate industrial hemp if the industrial hemp is grown or cultivated for agricultural or academic research purposes; requiring a site used by the Department or an institution of higher education to grow or cultivate industrial hemp to be certified by and registered with the Department; authorizing the Department to adopt specified regulations; etc.

STATUS: Signed by Gov. Hogan on 4/12/16

2015
HB 803

Authorizing a person to plant, grow, harvest, possess, process, sell, or buy industrial hemp in the State; requiring a person to register with the Department of Agriculture before planting or growing industrial hemp; altering the definition of “marijuana” for purposes of specified provisions of law relating to controlled dangerous substances to exclude industrial hemp; providing for the termination of a specified registration requirement; etc.

STATUS: Passed the House 130 to 8 and the Senate 45 to 1. Signed by Gov. Hogan on 5/15/15

2014
HB 1010

Allow production and marketing of industrial hemp, exempt industrial hemp from the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and provide powers and duties for the Department of Agriculture. Introduced 1/21/2014. Passed in the House 3/28/2014.

2013
HB 1453
Defines industrial hemp and authorizes the licensed cultivation and production of industrial hemp in accordance with rules adopted by the department of agriculture. (The bill has many drug policy components as well.)
Introduced, First Reading, and assigned to the Rules and Executive Nominations committee on 02/21/2013.
Download the text of HB 1453 here (PDF 369k).

2000
HB 1250
Passed into law.
The bill established a 4 1/2 year pilot program to study the growth and marketing of industrial hemp;
Download the text of HB 1250 here (PDF 30k).

1999
HB 374
Authorizing the growth, maintenance, manufacture, and the regeneration of seed for the growth of industrial hemp; requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to require a license before engaging in the commercial use of industrial hemp; requiring the Secretary to develop criteria for issuing a license to engage in the commercial use of industrial hemp; etc. Assigned to Environmental Matters. 
Download the text of HB 374 here (PDF 32k).