Cannabis - Prohibition on Outdoor Advertising - Repeal
HB880 repeals Maryland’s existing ban on outdoor advertising for cannabis licensees, cannabis products, and cannabis-related services. Under current law, cannabis advertising is restricted in several ways, including limits on content aimed at minors, prohibitions on certain depictions of cannabis use, and restrictions on advertising through media unless the audience is expected to be at least 21 years old. The bill removes the specific prohibition on placing advertisements on the side of a building or other publicly visible locations, including billboards, signs, posters, placards, graphics, and freestanding signboards.
The bill leaves the rest of the cannabis advertising restrictions in place. Cannabis ads would still be barred from targeting people under 21, using child-appealing imagery, showing cannabis consumption, promoting intoxication, or being obscene. The bill also preserves rules for websites, social media, and mobile apps, including age-screening requirements and age notices, and it continues to prohibit licensees from using third parties to evade advertising restrictions. The Maryland Cannabis Administration would still be responsible for adopting enforcement regulations, and the bill would take effect October 1, 2025.
HB880 amends Section 36-903 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article by deleting the statutory ban on outdoor and publicly visible advertising for cannabis businesses while retaining other advertising safeguards. This would allow cannabis licensees to use exterior signage and other outdoor promotional formats that are currently prohibited, subject to the remaining content-based and age-based restrictions. The bill affects cannabis licensees, cannabis product marketers, cannabis-related service providers, and the Maryland Cannabis Administration’s enforcement and rulemaking responsibilities.
Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, the bill’s sentiment cannot be measured from legislative debate or vote history. Based on the text alone, the measure appears to be a targeted deregulation of cannabis marketing rules rather than a broad policy change, suggesting support from members seeking to normalize or expand lawful cannabis commerce while still preserving youth-protection standards. No explicit opposition is documented in the materials provided.
The main point of contention is likely the balance between commercial speech for cannabis businesses and concerns about public visibility, youth exposure, and normalization of cannabis use. Supporters would likely favor allowing outdoor advertising as a practical business tool and a repeal of what may be viewed as an overly restrictive ban. Opponents would likely focus on the risk that billboards, building signs, and other visible ads could reach minors or increase cannabis promotion in public spaces, even though the bill keeps age-targeting and content restrictions in place.