Price Check: Shopping for Maryland’s Best Legal Weed
Welcome Marylanders, to the wonderful world of adult cannabis! After more than five years of a robust medical marijuana system, today marks the first day that any adult (21 years of age or older with valid ID), whether from Maryland, neighboring states or far-flung countries, can purchase one of thousands of cannabis strains and products are available in nearly 100 pharmacies statewide.
If you want to wait for the hype to die down, we wouldn’t recommend it—Maryland loves weed. The medical industry generated over $500 million in pharmacy sales in 2022, with the average patient spending over $300 per month. Couple that with a 1.5 ounce shopping and personal-possession limit for adult consumers, affordable menu prices, and a very reasonable 9% sales tax (compared to 15% in California) this July 4th weekend is expected to be a blurry one. But don’t worry, operators across the state are telling Leafly they’ve restocked. The stage is set for a smashing opening weekend – what better way to celebrate independence while retaining the right to source your favorite cannabis?
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Cannabis Legalization In Maryland Begins: What You Need To Know
Each new market has its own taste and way of doing things. To celebrate day one, Leafly visited a few different dispensaries throughout the Old Line State to get a sense of how charming the new cannabis industry will be and what consumers can expect to find on the shelves once they get there.
Maryland’s Best Weed and Awards: Releaf
Gelato Cake (Judicial District Cannabis)
Before you embark on your hunt for new killer strains, I have some not-so-good news: no smell or sight samples are allowed, and the bud must not be visible through the packaging. Patients are not subject to sales tax, although not all pharmacies we visit include tax in their prices. So keep that in mind when surfing the web. Most have a browse menu, and some use Leafly to host their hundreds of products.
Of all the pharmacies Leafly visited today, Releaf in Baltimore was undoubtedly the one with the largest assortment of flowers. With dozens of strains, multiple quantity options, and endless offerings, even the most snobbish smoker might be surprised at the sheer variety of options. Eighths start at $25 and could go up to the usual $60 for quality weed. Brands ranged from SunMed Growers, Grassroots, and Verano to District Cannabis, CULTA, Matter, and more than a few Cookies strains.
Terps ranged from cakey gas mixes like Tinselmints and Gelato Cake to Lemon Shanty, Runtz mixes and OGs.
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Consumers came from all walks of life, from locals taking their lunch breaks to out-of-towners looking for a more sophisticated and informed shopping experience. A woman named Susan told Leafly that she had traveled all the way from South Carolina and was dying to have more choices than her local retailer could offer. She concluded that caryophyllene-dominant strains could provide her with relief from rheumatoid arthritis.
“It helps me in all areas,” she told Leafly. “Hopefully that’s more of what I need.”
Maryland’s Best Weed Cartridges and Concentrates: Goldleaf
Cresco wagon in Maryland. (Courtesy of Cresco)
A few more hard facts: Maryland has restrictions on patient-only products that can be purchased in other states. Aside from vape cartridges, you still need a health card to buy dabbable concentrates — even infused pre-rolls.
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Some pharmacies feel cozy, some like Apple Stores, others like old-fashioned speakeasies. Goldleaf’s Annapolis location is reminiscent of a department store. The tall front facade is made entirely of glass windows, allowing light to flood the retail space, which is lined with heady pieces of glass costing thousands of dollars, puffcos, and accessories. All cannabis products are stored upstairs and brought downstairs after guests have selected the goods.
All staff are dressed in all black and stand behind marble-effect counters with menus available on giant iPads. Despite the bougie aesthetic, vaporizer carts start at $25 for half a gram and $30 for disposables from Select, Curio Wellness, and Cresco. As far as dabbables go, they had one of the most diverse choices anywhere: bubble hash from Grow West ($50/g), rosin from Evermore Cannabis Company ($50/g), and a selection of sugars, badgers, and live resins from MPX, Kind Tree and grassroots then ranged from $45 to $70 per gram.
The interior of Goldleaf. (leaf leaf)
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For Managing Director Madeline, this day was a great personal and professional success. Years ago, when her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, Madeline got her cannabis, even though it wasn’t legal in Maryland at the time. After a few years in tech, she moved back to her home state to get into the cannabis industry and recently graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapy.
“I’ve always wanted to work in the cannabis industry. It doesn’t make sense to me that people can’t get that because it helps them.”
Maryland’s Best Cannabis Edibles: Far & Dotter
Curio Wellness Black Cherry Vanilla gummy bears. (Courtesy of Curio)
Adult consumers can buy up to 750 mg of food per day. yes per day However, patients have access to higher-dose edibles, which can vary between 25mg and 40mg of THC per piece.
On this most glorious morning, Marylanders eagerly lining up to buy cannabis and adult-use products were greeted by a brief, heavy downpour—but that didn’t deter them. At Far & Dotter, the retail pharmacy and wellness subsidiary of Curio Wellness, Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce CEO Brent Howard cut the opening ribbon.
After checking in at the front area, which sells CBD products, accessories, and wellness brands, both patients and adult consumers head to the back area of the pharmacy, a clean, spacious space with warm lighting that makes the shopping process comfortable . Far and Dotter has iPads for easy browsing of the menu, with taxes included in the price.
Self-described as a staunch curio user and local cannabis influencer, Ariana Foote has toured many states where adult cannabis use is found, and not all of them have impressed her.
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“I’m a regular user and I love [Curio] for their service and approachable vibe, whether you are a mild user or consume every day.”
She recommended the Curio Chews ($20) more than any other edible she’s tried, so we skipped the Black Cherry Vanilla, which budtender Ashley says tastes like Cherry Coke. They contain different cannabinoid ratios and flavors in the chews, as well as higher doses for medical patients. Other edible brands include Smokiez gummies, Encore Edibles RSO gummies, Bubby’s Baked Goods cookies and a whole range of edibles to support gastrointestinal health. All groceries cost between $20 and $30.
And that’s just day one, Leafly Nation. We hope you have received your goods for this holiday weekend and welcome Marylanders to the wonderful world of safe and legal cannabis.
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