Chapter 10. Cannabis Grower Operations
Regulation .01 Scope.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Unless otherwise specified this chapter applies to a business licensed to grow cannabis under COMAR 14.17.06.06 and 14.17.07.05.
B.
This chapter applies to all cannabis grown in Maryland intended for either adult-use or medical-use sales.
Regulation .02 Cannabis Grower Premises.LinkCopy Citation
A.
In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(1)
“Indoor cultivation” means producing cannabis plants in a permanent structure that provides control of environmental conditions using artificial heating, air conditioning, or other climate control.
(2)
“Outdoor cultivation” means producing flowering cannabis plants in an area that is directly or indirectly exposed to outdoor elements.
(3)
“Permanent structure” means a building, shipping container, greenhouse, or other structure that is used for cultivation for 180 days or more in a one year period.
B.
A grower premises shall:
(1)
Be located within Maryland;
(2)
Conform to local zoning and planning requirements; and
(3)
Conspicuously display an Administration-issued grower license at the licensed premises.
C.
Outdoor cultivation premises are subject to the following, additional provisions:
(1)
A grower premises for outdoor cultivation of cannabis shall be situated to maintain the greatest achievable level of privacy and security.
(2)
An area of cultivation shall be securely surrounded by fencing and gates constructed to prevent unauthorized entry.
(3)
Fencing and gates shall be equipped with a security alarm system that:
(a)
Covers the entire perimeter;
(b)
Is continuously monitored; and
(c)
Is capable of detecting power loss.
(4)
The premises shall be protected by a video surveillance recording system to ensure:
(a)
Surveillance of the entire perimeter of the area of cultivation;
(b)
Surveillance over all portions of the security fence and all gates; and
(c)
Adherence to the video surveillance requirements of this chapter.
(5)
A grower may modify its security lighting to protect light-dark cycles for proper cultivation, provided the security lighting complies with §§C(4) and F of this regulation.
(6)
An outdoor cultivation area may not:
(a)
Be enclosed by a permanent structure; or
(b)
Employ any artificial heating, air conditioning, or other climate control.
(7)
In determining whether a cultivation premises qualifies as outdoor, the Administration may consider the number of cultivation cycles that can be produced at the facility.
D.
A grower may not make modifications or renovations:
(1)
Without prior approval by the Maryland Cannabis Administration in a manner prescribed by the Administration; or
(2)
That increase a standard grower’s capacity to greater than the canopy limits prescribed in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-402(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.
E.
A grower facility premises shall be constructed to prevent unauthorized entry.
F.
Security Lighting. The grower shall design and install lighting fixtures to ensure proper surveillance of the perimeter of the cultivation area.
G.
Security Alarm Systems.
(1)
A grower shall maintain a security alarm system that covers all:
(a)
Perimeter entry points and portals at all premises;
(b)
Rooms that hold cannabis;
(c)
Locations where records are stored on-site; and
(d)
Locations where records are stored off-site.
(2)
A security system shall:
(a)
Be continuously monitored;
(b)
Be capable of detecting smoke and fire;
(c)
Be capable of detecting power loss;
(d)
Include panic alarm devices mounted at convenient, readily accessible locations throughout the licensed premises;
(e)
Remain operational until a licensed premises no longer has any cannabis, seeds, or cuttings on the premises; and
(f)
Be equipped with auxiliary power sufficient to maintain operation for at least 48 hours.
H.
Video Surveillance Requirements.
(1)
A grower shall maintain a motion-activated video surveillance recording system at all premises that:
(a)
Records all activity in images of high quality and high resolution capable of clearly revealing facial detail;
(b)
Operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year without interruption; and
(c)
Provides a date and time stamp for every recorded frame.
(2)
A grower shall post appropriate notices advising visitors of the video surveillance.
(3)
A surveillance camera shall be located and operated to capture each exit from the premises.
(4)
A surveillance camera shall capture activity at each:
(a)
Entrance to an area where cannabis is grown, tested, cured, manufactured, processed, or stored; and
(b)
Area where cannabis is trimmed, packaged, cured, or stored.
(5)
The storage of all recordings of security video surveillance shall be:
(a)
Access-limited;
(b)
Secured by a security alarm system that is independent of the main premises security alarm system;
(c)
In a format that can be easily accessed for investigational purposes; and
(d)
Retained for a minimum of 90 calendar days.
(6)
Any recording of security video surveillance shall be made available to the Administration or law enforcement agency for just cause as requested within 48 hours.
(7)
Violation.
(a)
Failure to provide the Administration with any recording of video surveillance within 48 hours of a request from the Administration is a violation of COMAR 14.17.14.04.
(b)
Each day of recording within the timeframe in [§G(5)(d)] §H(5)(d) of this regulation that a grower fails to provide to the Administration constitutes a separate violation..
I.
Handwashing Sinks. A grower shall:
(1)
Ensure that agents engaged in creating usable cannabis products have easy access to a handwashing sink that provides warm water of sufficient volume under pressure for effective handwashing procedures; and
(2)
Maintain at least one handwashing sink for the following number of agents who are engaged in creating usable cannabis products while on duty at the same time:
(a)
Every 15 agents; and
(b)
Any fraction of 15 agents.
J.
Micro growers may not operate a facility greater than the limits established in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-401(c)(2)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .03 Cannabis Grower Controls.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Receipt of Material.
(1)
A grower shall quarantine material that is received to produce cannabis.
(2)
A grower shall inspect material for defects, contamination, and compliance with a grower’s specifications.
(3)
Material may not be released from quarantine by a grower until the material:
(a)
Passes inspection; and
(b)
Is determined to be acceptable for use as intended.
B.
Growing Cannabis.
(1)
Horticultural Controls.
(a)
Water. The grower shall keep a record of water quality testing on-site and make it available for inspection.
(b)
Fertilizer. As part of the standard operating procedure, a grower shall:
(i)
Adopt a nutrient management plan prepared by a certified nutrient management consultant;
(ii)
Use fertilizer or hydroponic solution of a type, formulation, and at a rate, to support healthy growth of cannabis; and
(iii)
Maintain records of the type and amounts of fertilizer and any growth additives used.
(c)
Unless the cannabis is field grown, a grower shall install, as part of the standard operating procedure, a system to monitor, record, and regulate:
(i)
Temperature;
(ii)
Humidity;
(iii)
Ventilation; and
(iv)
Lighting, if used.
(d)
Unless the cannabis is field grown, a grower shall seal or screen the premises ventilation system with a mesh or filtering system fine enough to exclude most plant pests.
(e)
Pest Monitoring. A grower shall use integrated pest management practices and techniques to identify and manage plant pathogen and pest problems, including:
(i)
A door control system sufficient to prevent pest entry;
(ii)
Regular visual inspection of plants and growing areas for the presence of pests;
(iii)
The use of sticky cards in growing areas, when applicable; and
(iv)
Identification and recording of all pests or pathogens detected and the measures taken for control.
(f)
Pest Control. Pesticide applicators and applications shall follow State and federal pesticide requirements for any pesticide applied.
(g)
Sanitation. Sanitation shall comply with the grower’s standard operating procedures.
(h)
Green Waste. A grower shall weigh, document, and destroy all green waste in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
(2)
Equipment. A grower shall:
(a)
Maintain equipment that comes in contact with cannabis to prevent contamination;
(b)
Maintain cleaning and equipment maintenance logs;
(c)
Ensure all scales are National Type Evaluation Program-approved;
(d)
Have any scale, balance, or other measurement device, and any automatic, mechanical, or electronic equipment:
(i)
Annually calibrated by a calibration laboratory accredited to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 17025 ISO/IEC by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement; and
(ii)
Checked at least once per month to ensure accuracy; and
(e)
Make records and certifications required under §B(2)(c) and (d) of this regulation available to the Administration available upon request.
C.
Inventory Controls.
(1)
A grower shall enter timely and accurate data into the Administration’s designated seed-to-sale tracking system to track the grower’s stock of cannabis from the time the cannabis is propagated from seed or cutting to the time it is delivered to a:
(a)
Licensed processor; or
(b)
Licensed dispensary.
(2)
Upon receipt of raw material for cultivation, a grower shall record in the seed-to-sale tracking system:
(a)
The date delivered; and
(b)
The number of cuttings or seeds delivered or the weight of the seeds for each variety in the shipment.
(3)
Requirements for Receipt of Material. A grower:
(a)
Shall quarantine material that is received to be used to produce cannabis;
(b)
Shall inspect material for defects, contamination, and compliance with a grower’s specifications; and
(c)
May not release material from quarantine until it:
(i)
Passes inspection; and
(ii)
Is determined acceptable for use as intended.
(4)
Plant Tagging and Entry into Seed-to-Sale Tracking System.
(a)
For each plant, as soon as practical, a grower shall:
(i)
Create a unique identifier for each plant;
(ii)
Assign each plant to a batch;
(iii)
Enter information regarding the plant into the seed-to-sale tracking system;
(iv)
Create a tag with the unique identifier and batch number; and
(v)
Securely attach the tag to a plant container or plant.
(b)
A tag shall be:
(i)
Indelible and tamper-evident; and
(ii)
Made of a material that resists variation in temperature and moisture.
(5)
Control of Harvested Cannabis. A grower shall:
(a)
Upon completion of curing or drying of each batch, weigh cannabis to update the seed-to-sale tracking system for the batch; and
(b)
At least monthly, conduct a physical inventory of the stock and compare the physical inventory of stock with the stock reflected in seed-to-sale tracking system.
D.
Quality Controls.
(1)
Production and Process Controls.
(a)
A grower shall cultivate each plant and produce each batch of cannabis in conformity with standard operating procedures.
(b)
A grower shall record the cultivation process in accordance with standard operating procedures to ensure:
(i)
Consistency of the batch with the variety; and
(ii)
Accuracy of the day-to-day production.
(c)
A grower shall record any deviation defined as a material change from the standard operating procedure which would impact the quality of the batch in the log.
(d)
A grower may not release any batch of cannabis if there was any deviation in production of the batch from the standard operating procedure unless:
(i)
After independent testing of the batch in accordance with the criteria set forth in COMAR 14.17.08.05A, the grower determines, as a result of such testing, that the batch meets the specification for the variety; and
(ii)
The determination is recorded.
(2)
During the process of cultivation, a grower shall regularly inspect each plant to ensure proper growth and absence of pests and disease.
(3)
A grower shall hold cannabis in secure, segregated storage until released for distribution.
(4)
A grower shall use an Administration-registered independent testing laboratory to test each batch of cannabis and obtain a certificate of analysis.
(5)
Batch Release Controls.
(a)
If a grower, upon review of the certificate of analysis, determines that a batch meets the specification for the variety, the grower may:
(i)
Assign an expiration date to the batch;
(ii)
Release the batch for distribution; and
(iii)
Revise the status of the batch in the seed-to-sale tracking system.
(b)
If a grower receives test results that fall outside action limits, the grower:
(i)
May rework or reprocess the batch according to their standard operating procedure; and
(ii)
If applicable, shall ensure the reworked or reprocessed batch is resampled and retested by the independent testing laboratory to confirm that all required specifications are met.
(c)
If a batch is being transferred to a licensed processor for processing, the grower may release the batch for distribution without having a certificate of analysis or being sampled or tested by an independent testing laboratory.
(d)
All cannabis products shall have a certificate of analysis, as specified in COMAR 14.17.08.05, prior to transfer to a licensed dispensary.
(6)
A grower shall retain every certificate of analysis.
(7)
Stability Testing and Retention Sampling.
(a)
A grower shall provide a sample from each released batch to an independent testing laboratory sufficient to perform stability testing at 6-month intervals to:
(i)
Ensure product potency and purity; and
(ii)
Provide support for expiration dating.
(b)
Retention samples retained from each released batch shall be:
(i)
Tested by a registered independent testing laboratory other than the original certifying laboratory following an adverse event reported to the Administration;
(ii)
Properly stored by the grower; and
(iii)
Properly discarded 6 months after the expiration date of the batch.
E.
Sanitation.
(1)
Scales, surfaces, and other equipment use for the purposes of creating usable cannabis products shall be cleaned and sanitized:
(a)
Between shifts;
(b)
Between packaging, repackaging, or otherwise creation of usable cannabis products with different usable cannabis batches;
(c)
Before beginning any packaging, repackaging, or other creation of usable cannabis products; and
(d)
After the completion of any packaging or creation of usable cannabis products.
(2)
A grower shall maintain an accurate log of cleaning and sanitation required under §E(1) of this regulation.
Regulation .04 Micro Grower Premises and Operations.LinkCopy Citation
A micro grower’s canopy may not exceed the restrictions established in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-401(c)(2)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Regulation .05 Product Returned for Destruction and Disposal of Green Waste.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A grower shall accept any product returned for destruction and record as green waste.
B.
A grower shall otherwise destroy any other product recorded as green waste with standard operating procedures.
Regulation .06 Product Reservations and Trade Practices.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Except as specified in §C of this regulation, a grower licensed under COMAR 14.17.06.06 shall make a good faith effort to transfer at least 10 percent of cannabis grown to:
(1)
Licensed processors and dispensaries that have no common ownership interest or control with the grower; or
(2)
Social equity licensees as defined in COMAR 14.17.01 .
B.
In fulfilling the requirement in §A of this regulation, a grower shall to the extent practicable:
(1)
Prioritize social equity licensees; and
(2)
Ensure that approximately equal amounts of cannabis are transferred to licensed processors and dispensaries.
C.
A social equity grower licensee shall make a good faith effort to transfer at least 10 percent of cannabis grown to licensed processors and dispensaries that have no common ownership interest or control with the social equity grower licensee.
D.
The Administration may query the seed-to-sale tracking system to ensure compliance with this regulation.
E.
If a grower is found in violation of this regulation, the Administration may:
(1)
Issue a fine; and
(2)
Restrict, suspend, or revoke the license.
Regulation .07 Visitor to the Premises.LinkCopy Citation
A.
When a visitor is admitted to an area of the premises used for cannabis operations, an agent shall:
(1)
Log the visitor in and out;
(2)
Retain with the log a photocopy of the visitor’s government-issued identification;
(3)
Continuously, physically supervise the visitor while they are on the premises; and
(4)
Ensure that the visitor does not touch any cannabis.
B.
An Administration investigator is not subject to the visitor requirements established in §A of this regulation.
C.
The grower shall maintain a log of all visitors for 2 years.
D.
A firefighter, a rescue squad member, law enforcement officer, or emergency medical services personnel who is actively responding to a call for emergency services is not subject to §A(1)—(3) of this regulation.
Regulation .08 Discrepancy, Theft, and Diversion Reporting.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Discrepancy Reporting.
(1)
If a grower discerns a discrepancy between the inventory of stock and the seed-to-sale tracking system outside of normal weight loss due to moisture loss and handling, the grower shall:
(a)
Commence an investigation of the discrepancy within 1 business day; and
(b)
If the grower cannot resolve the discrepancy within 30 business days, report the discrepancy to MCA.
(2)
Failure to report an unresolved discrepancy may be used as evidence of diversion.
B.
Theft or Diversion. If the grower finds evidence of a theft or diversion, the grower shall report the theft or diversion to the Administration within 1 business day.
C.
Within 30 business days of discovering the theft, diversion, or unresolved discrepancy, the grower shall:
(1)
Complete an investigation;
(2)
Amend its standard operating procedures, if necessary; and
(3)
Send a report of the investigation to the Administration.
Regulation .09 Standard Operating Procedures.LinkCopy Citation
A.
A grower shall establish written standard operating procedures in accordance with this subtitle to include all aspects of:
(1)
Inventory control, including:
(a)
Identifying and tracking the grower’s stock of cannabis in the seed-to-sale tracking system; and
(b)
Monthly physical inventory;
(2)
Receiving material used to produce cannabis;
(3)
Shipping and transporting cannabis or products containing cannabis;
(4)
Sanitation, including:
(a)
Storage of cannabis;
(b)
Maintaining the sanitation of equipment that comes into contact with cannabis; and
(c)
Good hygiene practices and the wearing of protective clothing by agents;
(5)
Equipment maintenance and calibration;
(6)
Handling, packaging, and labeling of cannabis products and byproducts;
(7)
Rework or reprocessing;
(8)
Green waste procedures;
(9)
Non-green waste procedures;
(10)
Security and visitor procedures, including theft and diversion prevention;
(11)
Storage, handling, and disposal of recalled materials.
(12)
Irrigation, propagation, cultivation, fertilization, including the use of growing media or hydroponic solution;
(13)
Recording the cultivation process;
(14)
Pest monitoring and management;
(15)
Harvesting, drying, curing;
(16)
Research and development procedures;
(17)
Decontamination, including but not limited to:
(a)
Preventing contamination;
(b)
Investigating decontaminating after repeated tests falling outside action limits; and
(c)
Remediation steps and resulting environmental analysis.
(18)
If applicable, co-locating with another licensee, including:
(a)
Sharing equipment and production materials; and
(b)
Maintaining independent and unique security video surveillance control.
B.
A grower’s standard operating procedures shall:
(1)
Be available to each agent in a form the agent understands;
(2)
Be available on-site for inspection by the Administration; and
(3)
Accurately reflect the procedures used at the premises.
Chapter annotations
Authority: Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-202, 36-203, 36-401, 36-402, and 36-410, Annotated Code of Maryland
History: Effective date:
History: Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2023 (50:14 Md. R. 559); emergency status expired June 30, 2024
History: Regulations .01—.09 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 7, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 676)
History: Regulations .01—.09 adopted effective July 22, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 678)
History: Regulation .02 amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
History: Regulation .03B, D amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
History: Regulation .07D adopted effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)
History: Regulation .08B amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
History: Regulation .09A amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 436); March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)