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Maryland Cannabis Administration Regulations:
Read MCA's regulation on COMAR online.
Update! The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) is sharing a draft of proposed regulatory amendments to COMAR 14.17.01.01, .02, .05-.07, .09, .10, .14-.16, .18, .20, and .21 for informal stakeholder feedback. Stakeholders may submit public comments to
[email protected] through Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Find a copy of the draft of proposed regulatory amendments
here.
The purposes of the draft regulatory amendments are to:
- Clarify or add new definitions of “caregiver,” “green waste,” “social equity applicant,” and “taxes in arrears” to align with current statute and policy;
- Codify that the MCA may not disclose sociological information purposes of immigration enforcement unless provided with a valid warrant, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., Gen. Prov. § 4-320.1;
- Codify the submission, consideration, fee, and disposition of petitions for declaratory rulings, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Gov't §§ 10-301– 10-305;
- Establish that conditional licenses may be rescinded for failure to respond to official communication from the MCA related to conditional licensure within 30 days;
- Codify that license renewals may be denied if the licensee has taxes in arrears in any jurisdiction;
- To complement planned streamlining of transfer application, codify that the MCA may review criminal history, financial information, and other information when a licensee requests to transfer ownership of a license;
- Increase the number of employees a micro dispensary licensee may employ from 10 to 20, pursuant to Chapter 375 of 2026 ;
- Establish a process for licensees to submit documentation supporting advertising audience composition claims, pursuant to Chapter 375 of 2026;
- Establish that cannabis agents must report a change of home address to the MCA within 14 days;
- Replace the Responsible Vendor Training program with the Cannabis Agent Training program and establish minimum program requirements, pursuant to Chapter 375 of 2026;
- In alignment with current practice, require allergens to be listed on the outer marketing layer of a cannabis product package; and
- Codify that a licensee may not sell, transfer, or deliver cannabis that is adulterated, expired, or whose composition, production, or labeling fails to meet the requirements of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article and the Technical Authority.
These amendments also include minor, technical clarifications to correct typos or align with current policy. These changes do not alter any existing processes and are not anticipated to have any operational impact on stakeholders at this time.
Stakeholders will also have 30 days to provide formal public comment once a proposed action prints in the Maryland Register.
Update! MCA’s Notice of Final Action (NOFA) to amend COMAR 14.17.01, .05, .10, .12, .13, .18, and .22 was printed in the
Maryland Register on September 4, 2026. The NOFA includes minor, nonsubstantive clarifications to better reflect the MCA’s intent. It is effective on September 14, 2026. To review the final action, access the NOFA
here.
The purposes of the regulatory amendments are to:
- Define medical & therapeutic claims;
- Allow conditional licensees to request up to two 6-month extensions based on certain criteria;
- Establish minimum standards for licensed growers to protect the rights of growers and employees.
- Codify grower corrective and preventive action (CAPA) requirements;
- In alignment with requirements for standard dispensaries, authorizes MCA to require micro dispensaries to distribute certain point of sale materials to customers;
- Add sublingual pouches as a new product category with associated product, packaging, and labeling requirements;
- Remove “plain” packaging requirement and supplement existing restrictions on youth-appealing packaging; and
- Establish discovery procedures under COMAR 14.17.22.09.
These amendments also include other minor clarifications to correct typos or align with current policy. These changes do not alter any existing processes and are not anticipated to have any operational impact on stakeholders at this time.
Additional guidance for all licensees:
Additional guidance by license type:
Cannabis Policy Frequently Asked Questions
Please use MCA’s Policy Question Intake Form to submit questions related to MCA regulations, cannabis legislation, issued guidance, or other policy issues. MCA staff will review submissions and address policy questions in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document. Find the FAQs here.
Compilation of Cannabis Laws:
Cannabis Reform Legislation:
Other Cannabis Legislation:
