The Mixed Message of Marijuana Driving in Maryland

At the corner of York and Cranbrook roads in Cockeysville, there are three popular drive-thru windows, including one at Dunkin’ Donuts and another at Popeyes. Yet often the longest line of all, the one that backs motorists around the parking lot, isn’t for glazed donuts or that “crunch you crave” on a bun. It’s Kip’s double drive-thru, a cannabis dispensary. There you can buy not only medical marijuana, but also pre-rolled joints, vapes, concentrates, edibles or just plain bud – not to mention practical accessories like an “anti-odor” backpack » or a lockable bag for storage.

Maryland legalized medical marijuana ten years ago. Voters approved pot for adult recreational use at the ballot box in 2022, and it has been available since July 1, 2023. But there’s still something a little shocking about seeing a dozen or more cars doing the queue in slow motion to collect their pre-ordered portions. classix pre-rolls; we feel the same way about drive-up liquor stores. Aren’t drive-thru windows for people who are in a hurry because they have a minivan full of kids, need to get to work, or want to quickly satisfy that sudden craving? There should be nothing sudden about consuming cannabis in a vehicle.

Of course, decriminalizing weed was the right thing to do. At last count, 38 U.S. states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 have legalized recreational marijuana. The long-running war on marijuana was unnecessary and counterproductive. Locking people up to buy, sell, or use them, especially since a disproportionate share of people are of color, has probably done more damage to society than the “reefer craze” ever could. And polls showed that the population overwhelmingly supported this decision.

But there are still health risks, including the possibility of driving while impaired, which is illegal. So far, Maryland hasn’t seen a big increase in this category (at least as judged by fatalities or citations), but with sales expected to reach $1.1 billion in statewide by June 30 and perhaps $2 billion in five years, the possibility is surely there. . The Maryland Cannabis Administration reports that the state agency continues to monitor negative impacts, but it also acknowledges that 15 of Maryland’s 97 dispensaries currently support drive-thru windows. And more may be coming soon, as the state recently granted 70 additional dispensary licenses.

Of course, nothing stops a person from purchasing cannabis at a dispensary and then consuming it once they get back in their car. But we like to think that in-person interaction with others has a subtle effect on consciousness, reinforcing the need for clients to wait until they are in a comfortable and safe place to participate.

Baltimore Sun editorial writers provide opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.