The opportunity to push for home grow in Maryland is approaching. How? Via our state government, of course. We discussed it before, and we’re back again to get you ready to take action.
Do you have to be in Annapolis to make a difference?
Nope!
We’re exploring the organizations and communities that are advocating for cannabis by representing your voice. Of course, if you have the availability, your presence will make the push all the more stronger.
But we know time is limited and you have responsibilities in your day-to-day. Either way, we’re exploring opportunities for you to enact change if you want to bring home grow to Maryland.
Read on to gain insight and direction on:
- The cry for home grow in Maryland cannabis online communities
- Cannabis policy organizations advocating for home grow in Annapolis
- Lessons Maryland can learn from legal home cultivation states
Onward!
The cry for home grow in Maryland cannabis online communities
Maryland cannabis patients want home grow not just to save money, but to secure the betterment of their lives. Understandably, there’s a lot of money involved with running a business in this industry thanks to prohibition.
But the pricing can keep patients with dire medical conditions from having access to the amount of and quality of medicine they consistently need to function.
Online communities like the Maryland Medical Cannabis Community and Abraham Villegas’s Maryland Medical Cannabis Community on Facebook allow patients to air out these frustrations.
And, most importantly, both groups offer a forum for discussing action steps for influencing such change. That also includes correcting misinformation and sharing different perspectives to expand insight.
Being a cannabis patient often means that you’re a self-advocate. So what are your options with home grow advocacy? As shown above, you can rally behind a protest. Or sign petitions like this one— they’re looking for a total of 500 signatures for change.
Overall, cannabis reform is indeed a legislative issue, so you’ll also want to consider how to get involved with policy in Annapolis.
Don’t know where to start with Maryland cannabis legislation? Keep reading.
Cannabis policy organizations advocating for home grow in Annapolis
We’ve covered Lobby Day before. Specifically with the organization NORML, it’s an annual policy day where members of the organization have meetings with various state delegates to discuss cannabis reform. Which includes home grow!
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), along with organizations Maryland Marijuana Justice and the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition, will be in Annapolis on Monday, February 3, 2020 and Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
Though their priority is criminal justice reform and expungement, they’re discussing a myriad of topics with your delegates. They schedule talks with delegates based on your needs.
So whether or not you can attend Lobby Day, make sure to register for free by clicking here to make your voice heard.
We are also a proud sponsor of the Lobby Day Conference and love working with NORML! We’ll have a table there on Monday, so stop by and say hello!
If you don’t know who your local delegates are, head to MDElect.com. Luke Jones, Maryland NORML’s Director of Legislative Affairs, goes more into detail below.
Monday is the Maryland Cannabis Policy Conference (daytime) and the Award Reception (evening). Both are paid ticketed events — but if you require financial support, reach out to Maryland NORML via direct messaging, email or carrier pigeon.
They’d love to help and everyone is welcome.
If you attend the conference, Adam Eidinger speaks on “Responsible Home Cultivation, a Basic Necessity.”
He’s a staunch cannabis advocate who pushed through cannabis legalization in D.C. with Initiative 71. To help Maryland with adult-use legalization, he relocated to Salisbury.
Tuesday is Lobby Day! So again, make sure to register (even if you can’t attend) so your desire for home grow is addressed with your delegates.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 is the hearing for Connor’s Courage in Annapolis. This organization advocates for children in our medical cannabis program to have access to their medicine at school. Click here to RSVP.
And get educated on the issue by reading our take on that by clicking here.
And whether you’re a patient working or building your own empire in the cannabis industry, Spark Networking is hosting a paid legislative event on Thursday, February 6, 2020 in Silver Spring, MD.
You’ll have the opportunity to hear and speak with Delegate David Moon of the Maryland Legislative Cannabis Work Group. To learn more and to buy a ticket, click here.
Circa 2013, here’s Delegate Moon’s biography video to familiarize yourself before meeting him
If you can attend, please do! We’ll have a table there, so be sure to come say hi. Check out the event details here and buy your ticket.
Lessons Maryland can learn from legal home cultivation states
We all know home grow is very much illegal at this time. This site did an extensive job of clearly breaking down the growing technicalities in each state.
And the regulations vary. We are a diverse nation of 50 states after all.
These 10 states have adult-use programs and allow growing: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, D.C., Vermont
These 7 states allow growing for medical cannabis patients: Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island
So, it’s simple to say you want home grow, but what exactly does that mean when it comes to legality? When the government is involved, you have to be specific.
For home grow in Maryland, keep these criteria in mind for compliance:
- Max number of plants allowed (this varies from 3-16 plants)
- Number of flowering/immature plants allowed
- Number of mature plants allowed
- Plant visibility to public
- Distance from dispensaries
- Max amount of cannabis you can possess
- Associated fines and/or criminal charges for exceeding amount
- Possible restrictions based on medical or adult-use status
The legal process for implementing a home cultivation program isn’t as simple as just copying another state’s laws. It may have taken longer than anticipated for Maryland’s medical cannabis program to kick off.
But we have one of the best in the nation because of the amount of thought, planning, and research poured into the endeavor. Home grow will eventually make its way into Maryland.
If we want a successful start, all cannabis advocates and lawmakers need to consider all the facts and variables.
Takeaways
You have the opportunity to be heard by major influencers of our medical cannabis program. If you have the time, attend as many as you can:
- Monday: Cannabis Conference, Award Reception / Annapolis
- Tuesday: Lobby Day / Annapolis
- Wednesday: Connor’s Courage Hearing / Annapolis
- Thursday: Spark Networking’s Legislative Session / Silver Spring
Change is made when we unite and move forward toward a common goal. So if you feel our cannabis program lacks accessibility, this is one of the best opportunities to shape MMCC for the better.
Because state officials aren’t going to make decisions off of social media rants and sesh debates.
Attend lobbying events that you have time for! If you can’t make it out next week, support the organizations by sharing their information and reaching out to see how you can help.
And don’t forget about our partnership with Cannaration! Home grow is the cornerstone of this local glassware company. So show your support by picking up a glass when you stop in.
Share this blog post with your fellow home grow advocates. The only way forward is with action and advocacy.
