MJBizMag January 2023 - 23

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
Maryland
State residents overwhelmingly voted to legalize adult-use marijuana, laying the groundwork for a
recreational cannabis market that is expected to generate sales of nearly $1 billion within a few years
of its launch.
As of July 1, 2023, the Maryland constitution will be amended to allow adults 21 and older to use
marijuana and possess up to 1.5 ounces. Criminal records for now-legal activities will be automatically
expunged.
Retail sales aren't likely to begin until 2024 or 2025.
Maryland legislators will begin working on adult-use marijuana tax, distribution and licensing laws.
In other races, political newcomer Wes Moore, a supporter of marijuana legalization, was elected the
state's first Black governor. Additionally, Chris Van Hollen was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz said adult-use marijuana legalization could be the first bill he signs into law in 2023.
Previously, the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate stalled efforts to legalize recreational
marijuana in the state. But Democrats swept Minnesota's elections in November and now control both
chambers of the state Legislature.
Republicans haven't been completely successful in stopping cannabis reform: In May, Minnesota
lawmakers legalized hemp-derived products, including those containing delta-8 and delta-9 THC.
Missouri
A constitutional amendment to legalize adult-use marijuana in Missouri won by six percentage points.
Amendment 3 lays the groundwork for a recreational marijuana market, which could see sales reach
up to $550 million during the first year, according to MJBizDaily estimates, with fourth-year sales
projected from $800 million to $900 million.
NORML Executive Director Erik Altieri said that " Missourians have clearly demonstrated that
support for ending prohibition isn't relegated to the coasts or deep-blue states, but that it is a
common-sense position that resonates with all Americans. "
According to Ryan Smith, co-founder and CEO of LeafLink, a New York-based cannabis wholesale
platform that operates in Missouri, " Amendment 3 ... will also open up new economic development
opportunities across the state. "
North Dakota
Voters defeated a ballot measure that would have authorized the state to create an adult-use
marijuana market. Measure 2 also would have legalized marijuana possession.
Measure 2 failed by a vote of 55% to 45%, according to the North Dakota Secretary of State's office.
The defeat marks the second time North Dakota residents have rejected an adult-use marijuana
measure. Voters faced a similar question in 2018.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican from Grand Forks, easily won a third term in the Senate, the
congressional chamber that has been responsible for stymieing marijuana reform bills.
U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong also won reelection to Congress, where he has served as North Dakota's
at-large representative since 2019. While he has stated publicly that he opposes recreational
marijuana, Armstrong co-sponsored the SAFE Banking Act in 2019 and 2021 as well as the STATES Act
in 2019-20. In 2022, Armstrong voted against the MORE Act and in favor of the Medical Marijuana
Research Act (details on page 18).
mjbizdaily.com | January 2023 23

https://mjbizdaily.com/minnesota-lawmakers-greenlight-thc-from-hemp-for-adult-use/ https://mjbizdaily.com/small-state-big-stakes-for-north-dakota-marijuana-legalization-measure/ https://mjbizdaily.com/small-state-big-stakes-for-north-dakota-marijuana-legalization-measure/ https://mjbizdaily.com/in-historic-vote-us-house-protects-state-legal-cannabis-programs/ https://mjbizdaily.com/us-house-passes-cannabis-banking-reform/ https://mjbizdaily.com/historic-day-us-house-passes-cannabis-banking-bill-with-strong-bipartisan-support/ https://mjbizdaily.com/us-house-again-passes-landmark-federal-marijuana-legalization-bill/ http://www.mjbizdaily.com

MJBizMag January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MJBizMag January 2023