Maryland’s Marijuana Boom: Recreational Dispensaries Within an Hour of the Pennsylvania Border

While repeated efforts to legalize recreational cannabis have stalled in the commonwealth, Maryland’s adult-use dispensaries are open for business, with some not too far from the Pennsylvania border.

Due to continued opposition from Republicans in the state legislature, the sale of recreational  marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania. Since 2021, state lawmakers — including a few Republicans — have introduced three bills proposing the legalization of adult-use marijuana. None of the bills made it out of committee.

Meanwhile, in neighborIng Maryland, the purchase and possession of marijuana for personal adult-use became legal in July. Existing medical dispensaries in the state are permitted to pay a conversion fee and sell both adult-use and medical cannabis.

This now makes two neighboring states where adult-use marijuana is legal. Recreational dispensaries opened across the Delaware River in New Jersey in April 2022.

So, if you’re tired of waiting on Pennsylvania’s GOP-majority state legislature to drag itself out of the dark ages and legalize recreational marijuana in the commonwealth, here are 10 Maryland dispensaries where you can purchase marijuana with a valid ID, all located within an hour of the south-central and southeast Pa. border. 

Grow West – Cumberland

Grow West in Cumberland, Md., is about 15 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

RISE Hagerstown – Hagerstown

RISE Hagerstown in Hagerstown, Md., is about 15 minutes from the commonwealth. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

The Dispensary – Westminster

The Dispensary in Westminster, Md., is about 20 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

Enlightened Dispensary – Abingdon

The Enlightened Dispensary in Abingdon, Md., is about 30 minutes from the commonwealth. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

Curaleaf MD – Reisterstown

Curaleaf MD in Reisterstown, Md., is about 30 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

PharmKent Wellness Medical & Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary – Elkton

PharmKent Wellness Medical & Adult Use Cannabis Dispensary in Elkton, Md. is about 15 minutes from the commonwealth. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

Ascend Aberdeen – Aberdeen

Ascend Aberdeen in Aberdeen, Md., is about 35 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

RISE Joppa – Joppa

RISE Joppa in Joppa, Md., is about 40 minutes from the commonwealth. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

Far & Dotter – Timonium

Far & Dotter in Timonium, Md., is about 30 minutes from the Pennsylvania border. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.

Nature’s Care & Wellness -Perryville

Nature’s Care & Wellness in Perryville, Md., is about 20 minutes from the commonwealth. The mixed-use cannabis dispensary is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for adult-use recreational purchases.