<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<chapter num="02" heading="General Regulations" title_num="14" subtitle_num="17">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Succession of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The Maryland Cannabis Administration is the successor entity to the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Any bulletin, final order, notice of violation, or formal changes issued by the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission remains valid and stands as authorized by the Maryland Cannabis Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle or Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, Title 36, Annotated Code of Maryland, a registration issued by the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission shall be valid until the stated expiration date for each:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Patient or caregiver;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Certifying provider;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Clinical director;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Agent;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Independent testing laboratory; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Other business registrants.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Maryland Cannabis Administration may rescind, revoke, correct, or reissue any bulletin, final order, notice of violation, or formal changes issued by the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Single Supply Chain for Cannabis Products.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, all cannabis grown, harvested, processed, transported, delivered, produced, manufactured, or sold in Maryland shall follow the regulations in this subtitle.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>A licensee shall accurately track, tag, or otherwise record inventory in the seed-to-sale tracking system designated by the Administration as specified:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Throughout this subtitle; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>In guidance issued by the Administration or its vendor.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Conversion of Medical Cannabis License.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>This regulation applies to each licensee required to pay a conversion fee under Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-403, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>The conversion fee shall be based on the gross revenue of a licensee and calculated by the Administration using the State’s seed-to-sale tracking system for calendar year 2022.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Licensees choosing to convert their license shall, on or before July 1, 2023:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Pay the conversion fee as calculated by the Administration in full; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Enter into a payment plan with the Administration.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The payment plan under §C(2) of this regulation shall establish:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The conversion fee as calculated by Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>The exact payment amount required under each payment installment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Payment due dates as directed by the Administration for four equal payment installments over an 18-month period.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>On or before January 1, 2025, a licensee shall pay the installment payment in full in accordance with §D of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="F.">
      <text>A licensee that does not meet a payment deadline is subject to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>An administrative hold on their ability to transfer cannabis or cannabis products to another licensee or distribute or dispense cannabis or cannabis products to a qualifying patient, registered caregiver, or consumer until payment is remitted to the Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>A fine of up to $5,000 for each day past the deadline that the payment is not received; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>After a period of 30 days, license suspension or revocation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="G.">
      <text>A converted license shall be valid for a period of 5 years, beginning on July 1, 2023.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="H.">
      <text>A converted license is not transferrable prior to July 1, 2028, except as provided under Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-503, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" heading="Technical Authority.">
    <text>The Maryland Cannabis Administration’s Technical Authority for Cannabis Testing (Effective February 2025), or Technical Authority, is incorporated by reference.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" heading="Sociological Information.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>For purposes of this regulation and as provided for under General Provisions Article, §4-330, Annotated Code of Maryland, “sociological information” means any of the following information requested from the Administration:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Academic or personal records provided to verify social equity status;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Records about an individual’s personal history, age, family, race, national origin, creed, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, ethnic background, ancestry, physiology, religion, academic achievement, employment, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or physical or mental ability;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Family history, identity of relatives, emergency contacts, or representatives;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Medical or psychiatric history;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>Social security number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>Date of birth;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(7)">
        <text>Credit card or other banking information;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(8)">
        <text>Personal addresses, personal phone numbers, personal electronic mail address, or personal social media account information;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(9)">
        <text>Information regarding marital status, domestic partnership, dependents, or relatives, including related employment benefits elections;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(10)">
        <text>Information regarding employment status, including disciplinary records and records related to an application for employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(11)">
        <text>Applicant information of those not selected for licensure;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(12)">
        <text>Military service;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(13)">
        <text>Driver’s license number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(14)">
        <text>Immigration status, passport, or visa numbers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(15)">
        <text>Any information obtained through employment coaching or surveys;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(16)">
        <text>Financial information, including income other than State salary, assets, and liabilities; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(17)">
        <text>Records not related to the transaction of State business.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Except for use in carrying out the Administration’s governmental functions or except as further provided in §C of this regulation, the Administration may not disclose under the Public Information Act, General Provisions Article, §§4-101—4-601, Annotated Code of Maryland, and shall deny a request for inspection or copying of, any part of a public record that contains sociological information relating to an individual.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The Administration may disclose sociological information:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>To the person in interest or the agent or representative of the person in interest;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>With the consent of the person in interest;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Pursuant to a duly issued subpoena;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Pursuant to a court order;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(5)">
        <text>If disclosure is otherwise required by law, including if required to be disclosed under General Provisions Article, §4-333, Annotated Code of Maryland, as part of a licensing record; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(6)">
        <text>If disclosure is otherwise permitted by law and the Administration determines that disclosure would be in the public’s best interests.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".06" heading="Pilot Authority.">
    <text>The Administration may require licensees to participate in pilot programs to test efficacy of proposed initiatives to improve regulation of cannabis, provided the following criteria are met.</text>
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>Pilot participants shall be selected according to objective criteria as determined by the Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>No documents produced by a licensee as part of the pilot program may be used to gather a compliance case against a licensee.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>The Administration shall provide a minimum of 60 days’ notice to any licensee selected to participate prior to the start date of pilot participation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="D.">
      <text>The Administration shall maintain strict confidentiality and data protection standards for all data collected, created, or maintained under any pilot program. Such standards shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Restricting data collection and use to the explicit, legitimate purposes of the pilot program; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Using appropriate encryption, access controls, and other measures to prevent unauthorized disclosure or misuse.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="E.">
      <text>The Administration may consider a licensee's written request to opt out of a pilot program based on:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Anticipated hardship by the proposed pilot program; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Participation in an Administration pilot program in the prior 6 months.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-201, 36-401, and 36-403, Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date:</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.03 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2023 (50:14 Md. R. 559); emergency status expired June 30, 2024</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.02 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 7, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 676)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulations .01—.04 adopted effective July 22, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 678)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .04 amended effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .05 adopted effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .06 adopted effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>