In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Advisory Council” means the Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council. “Fund” means the Cannabis Public Health Fund.

There is a Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council. The Advisory Council consists of the following members: One member from the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of the Senate; One member from the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House; The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee; The Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, or the Deputy Secretary’s designee; The Director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, or the Director’s designee; The State Superintendent of Schools, or the State Superintendent’s designee; The Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, or the Executive Director’s designee; The Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Administration, or the Administrator’s designee; The Executive Director of the Office of Social Equity in the Department of Social and Economic Mobility, or the Executive Director’s designee; and The following members appointed by the Governor: One representative from a historically black college or university; One health care provider with experience in cannabis; One pharmacist licensed in the State; One health care provider with expertise in substance use disorder treatment and recovery; One individual with expertise in cannabis use disorder; One academic researcher with expertise in cannabis law and policy; One individual with at least 5 years of experience in health or social equity; One public health professional with cannabis experience; and One representative of a laboratory that tests cannabis. To the extent practicable and consistent with federal and State law, the membership of the Advisory Council shall reflect the gender, ethnic, and racial diversity of the State. The membership of the Advisory Council shall include residents of rural and urban regions of the State. A member of the Advisory Council shall file a financial disclosure statement with the State Ethics Commission in accordance with Title 5, Subtitle 6 of the General Provisions Article. The term of an appointed member is 4 years. The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms provided for the appointed members of the Advisory Council on January 1, 2023. At the end of a term, an appointed member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. An appointed member may not serve more than two consecutive full terms.

The chair of the Advisory Council shall be elected by the members of the Advisory Council. A majority of the members then serving on the Advisory Council is a quorum. The Advisory Council shall meet at least four times each year, at the times and places that the Advisory Council determines. The Advisory Council may form workgroups to assist in the work of the Advisory Council. A member of the Advisory Council: May not receive compensation as a member of the Advisory Council; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. The Department shall provide staff support and technical assistance for the Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council shall study and make recommendations regarding: The promotion of public health and mitigation of youth use of, misuse of, and addiction to cannabis; Data collection and reporting of data that measures the impact of cannabis consumption and legalization; The impact of cannabis legalization on the education, behavioral health, and somatic health of individuals under the age of 21 years; Initiatives to prevent cannabis use by individuals under the age of 21 years, including educational programs for use in schools; Public health campaigns on cannabis; Advertising, labeling, product testing, and quality control requirements; Training for health care providers related to cannabis use; Best practices regarding requirements to reduce the appeal of cannabis to minors, including advertising, potency, packaging, and labeling standards; and Any other issues that advance public health related to cannabis use and legalization. To the extent practicable, the Advisory Council shall consider any data collected by the State related to cannabis use when making recommendations, including data collected under § 13–4401 of this title.

There is a Cannabis Public Health Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to address the health effects associated with the legalization of adult–use cannabis. The Department shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: Revenue distributed to the Fund based on revenues from adult–use cannabis; Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; Revenue distributed to the Fund in accordance with § 2–1302.2 of the Tax – General Article; and Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. The Fund may be used only for: Supporting the Advisory Council in performing its duties; Supporting data collection and research on the effects of cannabis legalization in the State; Providing funding for education and public awareness campaigns related to cannabis use, including funding for educational programs to be used in schools; Supporting substance use disorder counseling and treatment for individuals; Training and equipment for law enforcement to recognize impairments due to cannabis; and Purchasing technology proven to be effective at measuring cannabis levels in drivers. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

On or before December 1 each year, the Advisory Council shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.