1. A. General Requirements.

   1. (1) A permittee shall establish standard operating procedures for cleaning and sanitizing any surface, cookware, or equipment that comes into contact with ingredients or edible cannabis products that:

      1. (a) Ensure proper sanitation throughout the premises;
      2. (b) Are available to each agent in a form the agent understands; and
      3. (c) Are approved by the Administration.

   2. (2) Any surface that comes into contact with ingredients or edible cannabis products shall be cleaned and sanitized:

      1. (a) In accordance with cleaning and sanitation procedures for food contact surfaces of cookware and equipment specified in COMAR 10.15.03;
      2. (b) After preparing potentially hazardous ingredients; and
      3. (c) When there is an interruption in processing of greater than 2 hours.
   3. (3) The permittee shall use a cleaning and sanitizing schedule and procedure demonstrated by scientific evidence to kill pathogens and be safe for use on surfaces that come into contact with ingredients and edible cannabis products.

   4. (4) Any surface that only comes into contact with fully processed edible cannabis products shall be cleaned and sanitized:

      1. (a) Each time more than 8 hours elapse between the start of processing and the previous cleaning and sanitizing;
      2. (b) If processing more than one type of edible cannabis product, at a frequency sufficient to prevent cross-contamination of allergens or different dosage forms;
      3. (c) After processing has been completed;
      4. (d) When there is an interruption in processing of greater than 2 hours; and
      5. (e) As often as needed during processing to prevent contamination of edible cannabis products.

2. B. Any surface, utensil, or equipment that does not contact ingredients or edible cannabis products shall be cleaned:

   1. (1) According to COMAR 10.15.04; and
   2. (2) As often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions.
3. C. Vermin and insects shall be eliminated so that there is minimal potential for contamination of ingredients or edible cannabis products.

4. D. Pesticides may not be used to exterminate vermin unless:

   1. (1) Approved for use in food processing areas; or

   2. (2) The permittee:

      1. (a) Applies the pesticides only in areas not used for storage or processing of ingredients or edible cannabis products; and
      2. (b) Accurately enters the data into the seed-to-sale tracking system.

Authority: Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-202, 36-203, and 36-401, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.07 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2023 (50:14 Md. R. 559); emergency status expired June 30, 2024

Regulations .01—.19 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 7, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 676)

Regulations .01—.19 adopted effective July 22, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 678)

Regulation .03B amended effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)

Regulation .04C amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)

Regulation .04E adopted effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)

Regulation .17D adopted effective March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)

Regulation .18B amended effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)

Regulation .19A amended effective May 26, 2025 (52:10 Md. R. 436); March 16, 2026 (53:5 Md. R. 244)