Maryland Guide

To view your current elected officials, click here.

Upcoming Election
Maryland Primary Election: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Race for President (D)
B-
Joe Biden (D) DECRIMINALIZE

Joe Biden has a history of supporting anti-drug, tough on crime policies as well as those that imposed punitive penalties for drug offenses and facilitated discrimnation against drug users.

His current criminal justice reform plan includes provisions that would decriminalize the use of cannabis and automatically expunge all prior cannabis use convictions. Read more at https://joebiden.com/justice/ 

Race for President (R)
D+
Donald Trump (R)

Following the passage of Congressional amendments limiting the Justice Department from taking prosecutorial actions against those in legal marijuana states, President Trump has consistently issued signing statements indicating that he believes that he has the power to disregard these amendments because he believes that they are unconstitutional. (Source)

Race for U.S. Senate
A
David Trone (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
C
Larry Hogan (R) MEDICAL USE MANDATORY MINIMUMS JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION

Based on responses to our Maryland NORML's 2019 candidate survey and other available records, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed paraphernalia decriminalization - Vetoed changing public consumption from criminal charge to civil fine - Did not sign expungement bill - Does not support adult use (only supports medical)

D
Chris Chaffee (R) DECRIMINALIZE

From a response to Vote Smart's 2018 political courage test:

America has enough on the market that is considered recreational. We have record numbers of deaths from Alcoholism and cancer from tobacco we do not need to promote another habit forming market. We do not need to make it recreational. States should adopt decriminalizing laws to stop filling our jails with marijuana smokers.

Race for U.S. House District 1
F
Andy Harris (R)

Andy Harris is the sponsor the DC rider that prohibits DC from spending money on cannabis legalization.

Andy Harris championed bipartisan legislation for medical marijuana research, to further explore possibilities for easing suffering and pain of loved ones.
Race for U.S. House District 3
A+
Abigail Diehl (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
B
Terri Hill (D) DECRIMINALIZE
B
Clarence Lam (D) DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
Race for U.S. House District 5
A+
Andrea Crooms (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
A
Steny Hoyer (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE
Your Elected Officials
Governor
A
Wes Moore (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE

Wes will legalize cannabis, expunge the records of anyone convicted of simple possession, and prioritize equitable access to this emerging industry.

Lieutenant Governor
A
Aruna Miller (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE

In March 2018, Miller said she supported studying alternative treatments, including ibogaine and marijuana, to help patients wean themselves from opioids

Attorney General
A
Anthony Brown (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
U.S. Senate
B
Chris Van Hollen (D) DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE

Senator Van Hollen has expressed support for protection of legal states and has made comments in support of decriminalization. 

U.S. Senate
C
Ben Cardin (D) MEDICAL USE MANDATORY MINIMUMS JAIL TIME FOR POSSESSION
Cardin is not on the record as supporting any changes in federal marijuana laws, not even medical marijuana.
U.S. House District 1
F
Andy Harris (R)

Andy Harris is the sponsor the DC rider that prohibits DC from spending money on cannabis legalization.

Andy Harris championed bipartisan legislation for medical marijuana research, to further explore possibilities for easing suffering and pain of loved ones.
U.S. House District 2
A
Dutch Ruppersberger (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE
U.S. House District 3
A
John Sarbanes (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE
U.S. House District 5
A
Steny Hoyer (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE
U.S. House District 6
A
David Trone (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
U.S. House District 7
A
Kweisi Mfume (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
U.S. House District 8
A+
Jamie Raskin (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
State Senate District 3
State Senate District 6
C-
John Salling (R) DECRIMINALIZE

Responding to a 2018 questionnaire with the Baltimore Sun, Salling said that he does not support the legalization of recreational marijuana and that he only supports medical marijuana.

State Senate District 12
B
Clarence Lam (D) DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
State Senate District 13
B
State Senate District 15
B+
Brian Feldman (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
State Senate District 16
A+
State Senate District 20
A
William Smith (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
State Senate District 37
B
Johnny Mautz (R) DECRIMINALIZE
State Senate District 38
D
State House District 4
D
Jesse Pippy (R)

Pippy has voted against cannabis legalization

State House District 6
F
C-
Bob Long (R)

In a 2018 survey, Long stated that he supports the legalization of medical marijuana but is "personally against" legalizing recreational marijuana use; he followed that by saying that if recreational marijuana were legalized, he would want the tax revenue to go towards drug education programs.

B+
Robin Grammer (R)

Del. Grammer voted in favor of reducing penalties for marijuana use and sits on the state's official Marijuana Legalization Work Group

State House District 12A
B
Terri Hill (D) DECRIMINALIZE
A
Jessica Feldmark (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
State House District 17
A
Kumar Barve (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE
A
Julie Palakovich Carr (D) LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE

In the 2020 legislative session, Palakovich-Carr sponsored HB1400 (which would make possession more legal and direct marijuana tax revenue to education) as well as HB550 (which would decriminalize possession up to one ounce)

State House District 20
A
State House District 34B
F
Susan McComas (R)

Susan McComas is on the House Judiciary Committee. She has consistently voted no on cannabis legalization legislation.

State House District 37A
State House District 38B
C-
Carl Anderton (R) DECRIMINALIZE MEDICAL USE
State House District 44A