Maryland lawmakers introduce restrictive bills for cannabis consumption lounges
- Maryland legislators have introduced two bills to establish rules and regulations for cannabis consumption lounges, allowing operators to sell and serve marijuana-infused beverages and edibles in a bar-like setting.
- Smoking marijuana would be prohibited in these spaces, which may be a drawback for consumers, advocates, and the industry.
- Cannabis cannot be infused into prepared foods on the premises, and a separate license is required for businesses that want to host marijuana events.
- Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York are also considering similar proposals for marijuana consumption spaces, while New Jersey has opened applications for social equity businesses to apply for consumption-lounge licenses.
Maryland legislators have introduced two complementary bills to establish rules and regulations for cannabis consumption lounges.
According to the Baltimore Business Journal, House Bill 0132 and Senate Bill 0215 would create 15 licenses that would allow operators to sell and serve marijuana-infused beverages and edibles from third-party suppliers in a consumption space akin to bars.
However, smoking marijuana inside such spaces would be prohibited under the measures, which likely will be a deal breaker for consumers, advocates and the industry.
Infusing cannabis into any prepared foods on premises also would be restricted.
The proposals would require a business to secure a separate license to operate and host marijuana events, which must register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), the state’s top regulator, at least 60 days before their scheduled dates.
Smoking marijuana at special events also would be banned.
The MCA had requested that consumption-lounge legislation be introduced in the House and Senate finance committees, the Business Journal reported.
Connecticut and Massachusetts have recently rolled out proposals to establish marijuana consumption spaces, while New York is contemplating new allowances for venue operators.
In New Jersey, regulators on Jan. 2 opened the application window for social equity businesses to apply for consumption-lounge licenses.
Despite varying allowances in several states with adult-use programs, the growth of cannabis consumption spaces the past few years has taken root in only a few markets, namely Las Vegas and West Hollywood.