Maryland House approves framework measure that enables recreational marijuana to be sold in stores

The Maryland House has approved a measure that would build a framework for selling recreational marijuana in stores. The bill will now head to the Senate floor.

Although Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment in November to legalize recreational marijuana, lawmakers left details about implementation to be decided this session.

"You might not have agreed with marijuana or the vote that our citizens took, but they took it, so it’s now our obligation to create an adult-use program," said Del. C.T. Wilson, the chair of the House Economic Matters Committee. "And it’s our duty to ensure that Marylanders can receive the benefit of ownership in this industry, that citizens can have access to safe and effective cannabis without fear of adverse health effects or violence."