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Question 4 was a voter referendum to amend the Constitution of Maryland in order to legalize cannabis for adult use in Maryland. The referendum was approved overwhelmingly, with more than twice as many voters voting in favor of it than against it, on November 8, 2022, and went into effect on July 1, 2023.
History[edit]
On July 16, 2021, State House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones created a committee to draft a referendum on legalization to place on the ballot in 2022.[1] Around December 25, the chairman of the state House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Workgroup, Luke Clippinger, pre-filed House Bill 1 for the 2022 session, to initiate the citizen referendum in 2022 that would create a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis.[2] The referendum bill and accompanying bill implementing legalization, House Bill 837 received public testimony and were discussed by the House Judiciary Committee on February 14, 2022.[3] House Bill 1 was passed 96–34 by the House of Delegates on February 25.[4][5] This bill was contingent on passage of the ballot referendum in the November 2022 election, whereby it would legalize recreational use of cannabis possession and use on or after July 1, 2023. The constitutional referendum and the legalization bill were both passed by the Maryland Senate on April 1.[6] Senate Finance Committee hearings on the bills began on March 23.[7]
Voters approved the referendum on November 8, 2022, with 67.2% of voters and 23 of 24 counties and county-equivalents (all but Garrett County) in favor. It fully took effect on July 1, 2023.[8][9][10]
Provisions[edit]
The bill provides for adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 1+1⁄2 ounces (43 g) of marijuana and decriminalize possession of amounts greater than that up to 2+1⁄2 ounces (71 g). This bill would also establish a Cannabis Business Assistance Fund to support equity initiatives for minority- and women-owned businesses. That fund would go toward incubator and educational programs to promote participation in the industry by people most impacted by criminalization. The bill would also automatically expunge prior criminal convictions for conduct made legal under the proposed law.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
Between January 1 and July 1, 2023, possession of up to 1.5 ounces was to be a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, as provided by House Bill 837.[10][9]
Opinion polls[edit]
- On Question 4
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Yes | No | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpinionWorks | October 20–23, 2022 | 989 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 63% | 25% | – | 12% |
| University of Maryland | September 22–27, 2022 | 810 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 73% | 23% | – | 4% |
| Victoria Research[A] | September 11–19, 2022 | 762 (RV) | ± 3.7% | 69% | 20% | 2%[b] | 8% |
| Goucher College | September 8–12, 2022 | 748 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 59% | 34% | – | 7% |
- On whether recreational marijuana should be legal
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Yes | No | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goucher College | March 1–6, 2022 | 635 (A) | ± 3.9% | 62% | 34% | 1%[c] | 3% |
| Goucher College | October 14–20, 2021 | 700 (A) | ± 3.7% | 60% | 33% | 3%[d] | 4% |
| Gonzales Research (D)[B] | May 17–22, 2021 | 301 (LV)[e] | ± 5.8% | 69% | 24% | 7%[f] | – |
| Goucher College | February 23–28, 2021 | 725 (A) | ± 3.6% | 67% | 28% | 1%[g] | 4% |
Results[edit]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes
|
1,302,180 | 67.20 |
| No | 635,580 | 32.80 |
| Total votes | 1,937,760 | 100.00 |
Source: Maryland State Board of Elections[18]
See also[edit]
- 2022 Maryland elections
- Cannabis in Maryland
- 2022 Missouri marijuana legalization initiative
- List of 2022 United States cannabis reform proposals
Notes[edit]
- Partisan clients
- ^ This poll was sponsored the Yes on 4 Campaign, which supports Question 4
- ^ This poll was sponsored by Douglas J. J. Peters
References[edit]
- ^ Pamela Wood; Bryn Stole (July 16, 2021). "Maryland House speaker supports 2022 vote on marijuana legalization". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Dan Friedell (December 25, 2021). "Maryland legislature to consider voter referendum on legalizing marijuana for 2022 ballot". WTOP-FM.
- ^ Pamela Wood (February 14, 2022). "Maryland lawmakers get first look at plan for full marijuana legalization". Baltimore Sun.
- ^ A.J. Herrington (February 25, 2022). "Maryland House Advances Cannabis Legalization Bills". High Times.
- ^ Constitutional Amendment - Cannabis - Adult Use and Possession (HB0001) history, Maryland legislature official website, accessed February 25, 2022
- ^ Brian Witte (April 1, 2022). "Maryland voters to decide recreational marijuana in November". Associated Press.
- ^ Bryan P. Sears (March 22, 2022). "Dearth of medical cannabis licenses concerns advocates of pot legalization". Daily Record. Baltimore.
- ^ Andrew DeMillo (November 8, 2022). "Maryland legalizes marijuana; 4 other states also voting". Associated Press.
- ^ a b Nicole Potter (November 8, 2022), "Legalization Initiative Passes in Maryland with Question 4", High Times,
Maryland data published in October showed that 73% of voters were in favor of legalization—and the results show that this was true for voters.
- ^ a b "Maryland voters approve legalization of recreational marijuana". Associated Press. November 8, 2022 – via Fox News.
- ^ "Top Maryland Lawmaker Files Marijuana Legalization Bill In Anticipation Of Ballot Referendum Passing". February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "An equitable path to legalizing cannabis in Maryland". February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Marijuana legalization bill announced by Maryland House leadership". February 3, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Maryland lawmakers launch new recreational cannabis legalization push". February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Pair of Md. bills could make marijuana legal by 2023, expunge records of prior convictions". February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Maryland lawmakers get first look at plan for full marijuana legalization". February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Maryland Lawmakers Take First Step To Putting Marijuana Legalization On 2022 Ballot With Hearing On Two Bills". February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for All State Questions". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 28, 2022.