# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 11. Indecency and Obscenity

### Subtitle 2. Obscene Matter

#### Section 11-206

(a)

  (1) A person may not knowingly require a purchaser or consignee to receive obscene matter as a condition to a sale, allocation, consignment, or delivery for resale of a paper, magazine, book, periodical, publication, or other merchandise.

  (2) In response to a person's return of or failure to accept obscene matter, a person may not knowingly:

    (i) deny or revoke a franchise;

    (ii) threaten to deny or revoke a franchise; or

    (iii) impose a financial or other penalty.

(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to:

  (1) for a first violation, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and

  (2) for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)