{"id":373833,"date":"2016-10-26T12:59:45","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T17:59:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-drug-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-29T09:21:06","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T14:21:06","slug":"maryland-drug-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-drug-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Drug Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Drug Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Maryland classifies controlled dangerous substances (CDS) into five Schedules. Schedule I drugs like heroin and ecstasy are the most dangerous drugs in terms of abuse and dependence. Schedule II drugs also have a high potential for abuse and dependence, but they have some accepted medical uses.<\/p>\r\n

The criminal penalties for drug offenses<\/a> involving CDS depend on the amount and type of drugs involved in the offense. Other factors include where the offense occurred and the parties involved (e.g., a minor or a repeat offender).<\/p>\r\n

Note that Maryland legalized the use of cannabis for both medical purposes and recreational use. A person who is over 21 years old can possess less than 10 grams of marijuana for personal use. However, possessing large quantities of marijuana can still lead to jail time or fines in certain situations.<\/p>\r\n

The table below provides an overview of Maryland’s drug laws. For more information, follow the links in the table or the Related Resources section below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Maryland Drug Law Code Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Code of Maryland<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Maryland Use and Possession Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Possessing or administering a CDS to another person is illegal unless one of the following is true:<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Definition and Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Possessing drug paraphernalia with the intent to use it to plant, grow, manufacture, produce, or otherwise introduce a CDS into the body is a misdemeanor. Penalties include:<\/p>\r\n

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  • First offense<\/b>: up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $500<\/li>\r\n
  • Subsequent offense<\/b>: up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    If the offender is at least 18 years old and delivers drug paraphernalia to a minor who is at least three years of age younger than them, they are guilty of a misdemeanor. They face up to eight years of incarceration and a fine of up to $15,000 (\u00a7 5-619<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Maryland Drug Distribution Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A conviction for distributing or dispensing a CDS in violation of \u00a7 5-602<\/a> or possessing a CDS other than cannabis with the intent to distribute it imposes the following penalties:<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Drug Trafficking Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A person who brings the following substances (among others<\/a>) into the state of Maryland is guilty of a felony:<\/p>\r\n

Maryland Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Crimes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Those convicted of possessing, manufacturing, or distributing the following amount of substances face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a fine of up to $100,000 (\u00a7 5-612<\/a>):<\/p>\r\n