As recreational cannabis becomes legal in the state of Maryland, the hemp industry is taking a hit.
Legislation passed during the 2023 Legislative Session put a cap on any products that contain even small amounts of THC. Anyone selling products above that cap is required to have a license in the state of Maryland, and this provision has threatened to put hemp and CBD sellers out of business.
According to the Baltimore Sun: “The difference between hemp and cannabis is that hemp generally has very low amounts of intoxicating compounds and the plant also has industrial uses. While cannabis remains illegal federally, hemp can be grown and processed as long as the plant and any hemp-derived products are less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight.”
Several business owners are suing the state, claiming that the new laws create a monopoly.
