Cannabis Permits & Licenses in Baltimore, MD

Required for all LLCs; cannabis businesses must also comply with industry-specific licensing below

Cannabis businesses need this general registration in addition to MMCC licensing; apply via local county clerk

Maryland legalized adult-use cannabis effective July 1, 2023 (HB 556/2022); social equity licenses available at reduced fees; full list at linked page

Prerequisites include secure facility, background checks, zoning compliance; updated for adult-use market 2023

Requires video surveillance, seed-to-sale tracking (Metrc system), employee agent cards; no local zoning opt-out allowed

Registration is done via Maryland Business Express; obtain a withholding account number.

Prerequisites: 21+, background check, training course; applies to LLC members/managers

Mandatory inventory tracking system; training provided by MMCC

Applies to all businesses including cannabis LLCs; file with SDAT

All retailers of cannabis (medical) must register for sales tax. Registration is done via Maryland Business Express.

Cannabis retailers must file sales tax returns monthly due to high volume; quarterly filing allowed for low‑volume sellers.

All licensed medical‑cannabis businesses must register for the 10% excise tax on wholesale sales.

Excise tax returns are filed separately from sales tax returns.

Pass‑through LLCs report income on owners’ personal returns; corporate election requires Form 500 filing annually.

Electronic filing required for entities with > $100,000 in tax liability.

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Quarterly filing allowed for small employers with total tax liability < $1,000.

Registration is completed online via the Maryland UI portal.

Electronic filing required for all employers.

Cannabis businesses must also obtain a Baltimore City B&O (Business & Occupation) tax registration.

Registration required within 30 days of commencing business in Baltimore.

Required for all businesses operating in Baltimore City; cannabis businesses must also hold state MMCC license. Baltimore City Code Article 15, § 7-1 et seq.

Cannabis businesses restricted to specific zoning districts (e.g., C-1, C-2, I-1). Must obtain zoning verification letter. Baltimore City Zoning Code § 4-406 (cannabis overlay).

Required for cannabis retail fit-outs including vaults, ventilation. Baltimore City Building Code (2018 IBC adoption).

Cannabis businesses subject to strict sign regulations (no product imagery). Baltimore City Code Article 7 § 6-1 et seq.

Special requirements for cannabis storage, electrical systems. Baltimore City Fire Code (2021 IFC).

Required after all inspections passed for new/renovated cannabis retail space.

Cannabis businesses must register; additional cannabis-specific compliance via county cannabis division. Montgomery County Code § 20-27.

Special exceptions required in AR, I-1 zones only. Montgomery County Zoning Ordinance § 59-3.5.11(E) (cannabis businesses).

Includes security vault, HVAC requirements.

Final approval after fire, building inspections.

In addition to state license. Prince George's County Code § 27-139.01 (cannabis regulations).

Limited to C-S, C-O, I-1 zones with 1,000ft separation. County Zoning Ordinance § 27-428.

Special cannabis extraction/storage rules.

Required for all cannabis facilities. Anne Arundel County Code § 18-4.401 (conditional uses).

Maryland law requires workers’ comp for any employer with at least one employee, regardless of business type.

MMCC requires a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence general liability coverage for all cannabis‑related licensees.

MMCC mandates a minimum of $1,000,000 aggregate product liability coverage for all product‑handling licensees.

Bond must be payable to the State of Maryland and remain in force for the life of the license.

Maryland minimum liability limits are $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.

MMCC does not require professional liability insurance, but it is strongly recommended for dispensaries offering patient counseling.

Cannabis businesses in Maryland are not regulated as alcoholic beverage establishments; liquor liability insurance is not required.

All LLCs, including cannabis businesses, must obtain an EIN for tax reporting, banking, and employment purposes.

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