You do not have to be a Maryland resident to buy recreational weed. Anyone 21 or older with a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID can walk into a licensed Maryland dispensary and purchase cannabis, whether you live in Baltimore or are visiting from out of state. The Maryland Cannabis Administration lists only age and identification as requirements for buying — residency is not among them.1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs
That said, a few practical rules make the difference between a smooth visit and a bad one.
What You Need at the Dispensary
Two things: you must be at least 21, and you must show a current photo ID before every transaction. Maryland dispensaries accept any of the following:1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs
- A driver’s license from any state
- A state-issued ID card
- A U.S. or foreign passport or passport card
- A military ID
- A tribal card
An out-of-state license is fine. Staff will check it every time.
Purchases must happen at a dispensary licensed by the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Buying from anyone else — a friend, a pop-up, an unlicensed delivery service — is illegal. The MCA publishes the current list of licensed retailers.2Maryland Cannabis Administration. Industry Licensees and Registrants
How Much You Can Buy and Carry
Personal-use limits apply the same way to residents and visitors:1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs
- Flower, including pre-rolls: up to 1.5 ounces
- Concentrates (vapes, wax, shatter, resin): up to 12 grams
- THC-infused products (edibles, tinctures, capsules, beverages): up to 750 milligrams of THC total
You can mix product types in one purchase, as long as the combined amount stays within the equivalent personal-use limit.
Going over the amount is where a visit can turn into a legal problem. Carrying between 1.5 and 2.5 ounces is a civil violation with a fine of up to $250. Above 2.5 ounces, it becomes a misdemeanor: up to $1,000 in fines and up to six months in jail.3Maryland Courts. Cannabis Reform Supplement A criminal charge in a state you don’t live in is not a souvenir you want.
Bring Cash
Maryland charges 9% sales and use tax on adult-use cannabis, the same rate as alcohol.4Comptroller of Maryland. Adult Use Cannabis Information Most dispensaries include it in the sticker price, but check your receipt.
Payment is the awkward part. Because cannabis is still federally illegal, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover don’t allow cannabis transactions on their debit or credit cards. Most Maryland dispensaries run on cash. Some accept cannabis-specific payment apps, and many keep an ATM on-site. If you’re coming from out of state, bring cash or call ahead to confirm what the store takes.
Where You Can Legally Use It
Consumption is restricted to private property. You can use cannabis in a private home or on private property where the owner has given permission.1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs That’s the extent of the legal option.
Smoking or vaping cannabis in any indoor public space is banned under Maryland’s Clean Indoor Air Act, which was amended in 2024 to explicitly cover cannabis and hemp. That covers restaurants, bars, workplaces, public transit, and any indoor area open to the public.5Maryland General Assembly. Senate Bill 244 Chapter 755 – Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment Outdoor public spaces — parks, streets, sidewalks — are also off-limits.1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs
Hotels and Rentals
The Clean Indoor Air Act gives hotels a narrow exemption: up to 25% of a hotel’s rooms may be designated as smoking rooms.5Maryland General Assembly. Senate Bill 244 Chapter 755 – Clean Indoor Air Act Amendment That covers smoking in general, but each hotel sets its own policy and many prohibit cannabis outright. Ask before you assume a smoking room means cannabis is welcome. Landlords and short-term rental hosts can also prohibit cannabis use entirely on their properties.1Maryland Cannabis Administration. Adult-Use Cannabis FAQs
National parks, military bases, federal courthouses, and other federal land in Maryland follow federal law, not state law. Possession there is illegal regardless of the amount.6National Park Service. Marijuana and Other Substances Maryland has meaningful federal territory, including portions of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Assateague Island, and Fort McHenry.
Do Not Take It Across State Lines
The most important rule for any visitor: transporting cannabis out of Maryland is a federal crime, even if you’re heading to another state where cannabis is legal. Federal law prohibits moving any amount of marijuana across state lines, regardless of what either state allows. Buying it legally in Maryland does not protect you once you cross into Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else.
The same applies to shipping or mailing cannabis. Use what you buy in Maryland while you’re in Maryland, and leave the rest behind.
Driving After Using Cannabis
Maryland treats cannabis-impaired driving the same as drunk driving. A first offense for driving under the influence of a controlled substance carries up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,200. A second offense within five years doubles it: up to two years and $2,400. Driving impaired with a minor in the car raises the first-offense ceiling to two years and $2,000.7Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Transportation Article 21-902
The MCA recommends waiting at least six hours after using cannabis before driving, and longer if you’ve consumed edibles, whose effects can last up to 12 hours.8Maryland Cannabis Administration. Drugged Driving Holding a medical card in another state does not exempt you.