Md. Code Ann., Alc. Bev. & Cannabis § 36-903
Prohibitions on advertising; age verification
Effective Apr 25, 2024Added by Acts 2023, c. 254, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 255, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 241, § 1, eff. April 25, 2024.State of Maryland
(a)
(1) An advertisement for a cannabis licensee, cannabis product, or cannabis-related service may not:
- (i) violate Title 13, Subtitle 3 of the Commercial Law Article;
- (ii) directly or indirectly target individuals under the age of 21 years;
(iii) contain a design, an illustration, a picture, or a representation that:
- 1. targets or is attractive to minors, including a cartoon character, a mascot, or any other depiction that is commonly used to market products to minors;
- 2. displays the use of cannabis, including the consumption, smoking, or vaping of cannabis;
- 3. encourages or promotes cannabis for use as an intoxicant; or
- 4. is obscene;
- (iv) engage in advertising by means of television, radio, Internet, mobile application, social media, or other electronic communication, event sponsorship, or print publication, unless at least 85% of the audience is reasonably expected to be at least 21 years old as determined by reliable and current audience composition data; or
- (v) except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, engage in advertising by means of placing an advertisement on the side of a building or another publicly visible location of any form, including a sign, a poster, a placard, a device, a graphic display, an outdoor billboard, or a freestanding signboard.
- (2) A cannabis business may place exterior signage on the premises of the business for the limited purpose of identifying the business to the public.
(b)
(1)
- (i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, each cannabis-related website shall employ a neutral age-screening mechanism that verifies that the user is at least 21 years old, including by using an age-gate, age-screen, or age verification mechanism before the user may access or view any content and before the website may collect the user's address, e-mail address, phone number, or contact information to disseminate advertisements.
- (ii) If a website is appropriate for a qualifying patient who is under the age of 21 years, the website shall provide an alternative screening mechanism for the qualifying patient.
- (2) An advertisement placed on social media or a mobile application shall include a notification that an individual must be at least 21 years old to view the content.
- (3) The provisions of this subtitle applicable to cannabis licensees may not be avoided by hiring or contracting with a third party, or outsourcing advertisements that do not comply with this subtitle.
- (4) A cannabis licensee may not allow the use of the licensee's trademarks, brands, names, locations, or other distinguishing characteristics for third-party use for advertisements that do not comply with this subtitle.
- (c) The Administration shall adopt regulations to establish procedures for the enforcement of this section.
Added by Acts 2023, c. 254, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 255, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 241, § 1, eff. April 25, 2024.