Cannabis Organizations & Advocacy in Maryland

Last verified: April 2026

ACLU of Maryland

Type: Civil Liberties & Policy Research

The ACLU of Maryland produced the data that made legalization politically inevitable. Their 2013 report documented that Black Marylanders were 3 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis despite comparable usage rates — 58% of arrests, 30% of the population. The subsequent revelation that 96% of cannabis charges in Baltimore targeted Black residents (2015–2017) became the single most powerful argument for reform.

The ACLU continues to monitor enforcement data, advocate for the integrity of expungement and pardon implementation, and hold the state accountable for the equity provisions in the Cannabis Reform Act. Their work provided the evidentiary foundation for everything that followed.

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)

Type: National Policy Organization, Maryland Campaign | Director of Social Equity: Tahir Johnson

Website: mpp.org

The Marijuana Policy Project organized the Yes on 4 campaign that won Maryland’s 2022 legalization referendum with 67.2% support. The campaign, chaired by former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Eugene Monroe, raised $211,370 against an opposition (Protect Maryland Kids) that raised $0.

MPP’s Maryland work is led in part by Tahir Johnson, Director of Social Equity, who has been instrumental in ensuring that the organization’s policy advocacy centers racial justice and community reinvestment — not just market access.

Last Prisoner Project

Type: Criminal Justice & Prisoner Advocacy

Website: lastprisonerproject.org

The Last Prisoner Project works to free individuals still incarcerated for cannabis offenses and support their re-entry into society. In Maryland, their work complements Governor Moore’s 175,000-conviction pardon by focusing on:

• Case identification — Finding individuals still serving sentences for cannabis offenses that would not be crimes under current law
• Re-entry support — Providing resources, job placement assistance, and community connections for formerly incarcerated individuals
• Industry accountability — Pushing cannabis companies to hire formerly incarcerated individuals and invest in communities harmed by the drug war

Maryland NORML

Type: Cannabis Reform & Education | Director: Luke Jones

The Maryland chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has been active since before decriminalization, providing grassroots advocacy, voter education, and legislative monitoring throughout Maryland’s cannabis reform journey. Maryland NORML focuses on:

• Legislative tracking — Monitoring cannabis bills during each General Assembly session
• Know-your-rights education — Guides on current law, possession limits, and consumer rights
• Community events — Educational forums, advocacy meetups, and voter engagement

Maryland Marijuana Justice

Type: Racial Equity & Criminal Justice Reform

Maryland Marijuana Justice focuses on the intersection of cannabis policy and racial justice in the state. Their advocacy was critical during the drafting of the Cannabis Reform Act, pushing for the 65% equity ownership requirement, the Community Reinvestment Fund, and the expungement provisions that became law.

Maryland Cannabis Business Association (MCBA)

Type: Industry Trade Association

The MCBA represents Maryland-based cannabis businesses, providing industry advocacy, networking, and policy engagement. The association includes both established operators and incoming equity licensees, navigating the tension between incumbent interests and the equity provisions that define Maryland’s market expansion.

DC Cannabis Trade Association

Type: Regional Industry Advocacy | President: Linda Mercado Greene

While DC-focused, the DC Cannabis Trade Association is relevant to Maryland’s market because of the deep interconnection between the two jurisdictions. President Linda Mercado Greene (also of Anacostia Organics) has been among the most vocal voices on how Maryland’s recreational launch impacted DC operators — her statement that DC lost 50% of its business when Maryland went rec became a defining data point for the mid-Atlantic dynamic.

MD Volunteer Lawyers: Cannabis Project

Type: Legal Services & Expungement Assistance

The Cannabis Project within Maryland Volunteer Lawyers provides free legal assistance for cannabis record relief:

• 284 clients served
• 261 expungement petitions filed
• Assistance navigating the expungement process, which can be complex even after Governor Moore’s mass pardon

For individuals seeking expungement help, this is the primary free resource in Maryland.

Getting Involved

Maryland’s cannabis landscape is still being shaped. The MCA holds public meetings, the General Assembly considers cannabis bills every session, and the equity program’s success depends on community engagement and accountability. Whether you’re a patient, a consumer, a prospective business owner, or a Marylander who cares about justice, these organizations offer pathways to stay informed and participate.

For the enforcement data that drove reform: Political History. For the equity program: Social Equity.