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MACo: state gave localities more detailed guidance on adult‑use cannabis zoning
Summary
MACo representatives said the state’s new adult‑use cannabis bill includes expanded zoning options and buffer rules, replacing last year’s brief 'reasonable zoning' guidance and aiming to reduce litigation over local approvals.
Michael Sanderson briefed Howard County council members on the state's rollout of adult‑use cannabis policy and said legislative language this year is much more detailed than last year’s two‑word guidance of "reasonable zoning."
"This year, they gave us a bill that has maybe 200 words or so," Sanderson said, describing a statute that offers a series of zoning options, buffer rules and spacing provisions that counties can adopt to regulate retail locations. He said the added specificity should reduce the number of local zoning disputes that end up in court but that counties will still make local zoning choices within the statutory framework.
Council members were told MACo will continue to work with counties to interpret the law and share model language and practical approaches to implementation.
