1. (a) There is a Cannabis Public Health Fund.
2. (b) The purpose of the Fund is to provide funding to address the health effects associated with the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
3. (c) The Department shall administer the Fund.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
   2. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.

5. (e) The Fund consists of:

   1. (1) Revenue distributed to the Fund based on revenues from adult-use cannabis;
   2. (2) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;
   3. (3) Revenue distributed to the Fund in accordance with § 2-1302.2 of the Tax--General Article; and
   4. (4) Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.

6. (f) The Fund may be used only for:

   1. (1) Supporting the Advisory Council in performing its duties;
   2. (2) Supporting data collection and research on the effects of cannabis legalization in the State;
   3. (3) Providing funding for education and public awareness campaigns related to cannabis use, including funding for educational programs to be used in schools;
   4. (4) Supporting substance use disorder counseling and treatment for individuals;
   5. (5) Training and equipment for law enforcement to recognize impairments due to cannabis; and
   6. (6) Purchasing technology proven to be effective at measuring cannabis levels in drivers.

7. (g)

   1. (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.
   2. (2) Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.
8. (h) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

Added by Acts 2022, c. 26, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 2023. Amended by Acts 2023, c. 254, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023; Acts 2023, c. 255, § 5, eff. May 3, 2023.