A. In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
- (1) “Indoor cultivation” means producing cannabis plants in a permanent structure that provides control of environmental conditions using artificial heating, air conditioning, or other climate control.
- (2) “Outdoor cultivation” means producing flowering cannabis plants in an area that is directly or indirectly exposed to outdoor elements.
- (3) “Permanent structure” means a building, shipping container, greenhouse, or other structure that is used for cultivation for 180 days or more in a one year period.
B. A grower premises shall:
- (1) Be located within Maryland;
- (2) Conform to local zoning and planning requirements; and
- (3) Conspicuously display an Administration-issued grower license at the licensed premises.
C. Outdoor cultivation premises are subject to the following, additional provisions:
- (1) A grower premises for outdoor cultivation of cannabis shall be situated to maintain the greatest achievable level of privacy and security.
- (2) An area of cultivation shall be securely surrounded by fencing and gates constructed to prevent unauthorized entry.
(3) Fencing and gates shall be equipped with a security alarm system that:
- (a) Covers the entire perimeter;
- (b) Is continuously monitored; and
- (c) Is capable of detecting power loss.
(4) The premises shall be protected by a video surveillance recording system to ensure:
- (a) Surveillance of the entire perimeter of the area of cultivation;
- (b) Surveillance over all portions of the security fence and all gates; and
- (c) Adherence to the video surveillance requirements of this chapter.
- (5) A grower may modify its security lighting to protect light-dark cycles for proper cultivation, provided the security lighting complies with §§C(4) and F of this regulation.
(6) An outdoor cultivation area may not:
- (a) Be enclosed by a permanent structure; or
- (b) Employ any artificial heating, air conditioning, or other climate control.
- (7) In determining whether a cultivation premises qualifies as outdoor, the Administration may consider the number of cultivation cycles that can be produced at the facility.
D. A grower may not make modifications or renovations:
- (1) Without prior approval by the Maryland Cannabis Administration in a manner prescribed by the Administration; or
- (2) That increase a standard grower’s capacity to greater than the canopy limits prescribed in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-402(b), Annotated Code of Maryland.
- E. A grower facility premises shall be constructed to prevent unauthorized entry.
- F. Security Lighting. The grower shall design and install lighting fixtures to ensure proper surveillance of the perimeter of the cultivation area.
G. Security Alarm Systems.
(1) A grower shall maintain a security alarm system that covers all:
- (a) Perimeter entry points and portals at all premises;
- (b) Rooms that hold cannabis;
- (c) Locations where records are stored on-site; and
- (d) Locations where records are stored off-site.
(2) A security system shall:
- (a) Be continuously monitored;
- (b) Be capable of detecting smoke and fire;
- (c) Be capable of detecting power loss;
- (d) Include panic alarm devices mounted at convenient, readily accessible locations throughout the licensed premises;
- (e) Remain operational until a licensed premises no longer has any cannabis, seeds, or cuttings on the premises; and
- (f) Be equipped with auxiliary power sufficient to maintain operation for at least 48 hours.
H. Video Surveillance Requirements.
(1) A grower shall maintain a motion-activated video surveillance recording system at all premises that:
- (a) Records all activity in images of high quality and high resolution capable of clearly revealing facial detail;
- (b) Operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year without interruption; and
- (c) Provides a date and time stamp for every recorded frame.
- (2) A grower shall post appropriate notices advising visitors of the video surveillance.
- (3) A surveillance camera shall be located and operated to capture each exit from the premises.
(4) A surveillance camera shall capture activity at each:
- (a) Entrance to an area where cannabis is grown, tested, cured, manufactured, processed, or stored; and
- (b) Area where cannabis is trimmed, packaged, cured, or stored.
(5) The storage of all recordings of security video surveillance shall be:
- (a) Access-limited;
- (b) Secured by a security alarm system that is independent of the main premises security alarm system;
- (c) In a format that can be easily accessed for investigational purposes; and
- (d) Retained for a minimum of 90 calendar days.
- (6) Any recording of security video surveillance shall be made available to the Administration or law enforcement agency for just cause as requested within 48 hours.
(7) Violation.
- (a) Failure to provide the Administration with any recording of video surveillance within 48 hours of a request from the Administration is a violation of COMAR 14.17.14.04.
- (b) Each day of recording within the timeframe in [§G(5)(d)] §H(5)(d) of this regulation that a grower fails to provide to the Administration constitutes a separate violation..
I. Handwashing Sinks. A grower shall:
- (1) Ensure that agents engaged in creating usable cannabis products have easy access to a handwashing sink that provides warm water of sufficient volume under pressure for effective handwashing procedures; and
(2) Maintain at least one handwashing sink for the following number of agents who are engaged in creating usable cannabis products while on duty at the same time:
- (a) Every 15 agents; and
- (b) Any fraction of 15 agents.
- J. Micro growers may not operate a facility greater than the limits established in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-401(c)(2)(i), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Authority: Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-202, 36-203, 36-401, 36-402, and 36-410, Annotated Code of Maryland
Effective date:
Regulations .01—.05 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2023 (50:14 Md. R. 559); emergency status expired June 30, 2024
Regulations .01—.09 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 7, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 676)
Regulations .01—.09 adopted effective July 22, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 678)
Regulation .02 amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
Regulation .03B, D amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
Regulation .07D adopted effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)
Regulation .08B amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)
Regulation .09A amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 436); March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)