October 1, 2025 Maryland Law Changes: What They Mean for Annapolis and Anne Arundel County

A number of new Maryland laws, effective October 1, 2025, following the 2025 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly, cover cannabis use and penalties, criminal sentencing, expungement procedures, tenant protections, and consumer debt regulation.

 This article outlines the key legal changes as described in Maryland state government documents and highlights their potential effects on residents of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, particularly in marginalized communities.

Cannabis Law Reforms

Personal Use Manufacturing Allowed

Adults aged 21 and over may now legally "manufacture a personal use amount of cannabis products or concentrated cannabis for personal use or adult sharing at a private residence," provided that the process does not involve the use of volatile solvents such as butane or propane. This law expands the rights of adult users while maintaining strict limits on large-scale or hazardous cannabis processing, according to the Maryland General Assembly's official summary of House Bill 413 / Senate Bill 925 (Chapter 136).

Penalties for Large-Scale Cannabis Offenses Adjusted

The law also modifies the penalties for high-volume cannabis offenses, including "volume dealer" and "drug kingpin" designations under Maryland's Criminal Law Article, Title 5, according to the same bill text. Individuals involved in trafficking larger quantities of cannabis may still face felony charges, though sentencing guidelines have been revised in alignment with broader cannabis decriminalization.

Expungement and Case Search Protections

Maryland law now prohibits the Maryland Judiciary Case Search system from displaying cannabis possession charges that were later pardoned by the Governor, expands eligibility for expungement of certain misdemeanor convictions, and reduces or restructures waiting periods before individuals can file for expungement of certain offenses, according to the bill summary for Senate Bill 432, titled the Expungement Reform Act of 2025. These reforms are aimed at reducing the long-term consequences of cannabis-related offenses, especially in communities that have historically been over-policed.

Sentencing & Criminal Law Reforms

Second Look Sentencing Review

Maryland has implemented a law allowing individuals who were convicted between the ages of 18 and under 25, have served at least 20 years of their sentence, and were not convicted of a sex offense or sentenced to life without parole, to petition the court for a reduction in their sentence, according to the legislative summary for House Bill 853. The goal, according to the bill, is to recognize evolving brain science around young adult decision-making and allow for rehabilitation-based reviews.

Paraphernalia Penalties Reduced

The maximum penalties for using, possessing, or distributing drug paraphernalia have been reduced to a maximum of 1 year of imprisonment, and/or a fine of $1,000, according to House Bill 260 / Senate Bill 1009. This aligns penalties with more recent changes to Maryland's approach to drug use and harm reduction.

Organized Retail Theft Law

If an individual commits multiple thefts in different counties as part of the same scheme or course of conduct, those cases can now be joined and prosecuted in any one of the affected counties, according to the bill text for House Bill 179 / Senate Bill 11. This law is designed to address complex or coordinated theft schemes across jurisdictions.

Tenant Protections and Housing Law

Landlord Entry Notification

A landlord must now provide at least 24 hours' written notice before entering a tenant's dwelling, except in emergencies, according to House Bill 1076. This notice must include the reason for entry and the expected time of entry. This measure enhances privacy protections for tenants across the state, including those in Anne Arundel County.

Late Rent Payment Penalty Limits

Landlords may now only charge a late fee equal to 5% of the unpaid rent amount, according to the official legislative language of House Bill 273. This change is particularly important for tenants who make partial rent payments, often due to financial hardship.

Warrant of Restitution Updates

Landlords must now provide written notice of a court-issued warrant of restitution to the tenant and follow additional procedures before repossession, according to House Bill 767. This increases transparency in the eviction process and allows tenants more time to respond or seek help.

Consumer & Medical Debt Protections

No More Property Liens for Medical Debt

Medical debt may no longer be used as a basis to create a lien on a person's primary residence, according to House Bill 428 / Senate Bill 349. The law applies only to future debts and does not retroactively remove existing liens.

Medical Debt Banned from Credit Reports

Credit reporting agencies may not include adverse information related to a consumer's medical debt, or collection actions tied to medical debt, in consumer reports, according to the enacted language of House Bill 1020. This protects individuals from being penalized in credit decisions due to unaffordable or unexpected medical bills.

Equity and Local Impact for Anne Arundel County

Opportunities for Justice Reform

Citizens may benefit from cannabis expungement and sentencing review options, especially those disproportionately affected by prior enforcement practices. 

Tenant Stability Measures

The new rules around notice of entry, late rent penalties, and eviction process changes may reduce housing instability, particularly for renters in lower-income areas. Still, enforcement and landlord compliance will be critical to ensure tenant protections are realized.

Medical Debt Relief

With medical costs being a leading cause of financial instability, the prohibition on property liens and credit reporting for medical debt may particularly help older residents, uninsured individuals, and low-income families in Anne Arundel County.

All legal changes referenced in this article are based on the official bills and legislative summaries published by the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland General Law Code. Residents seeking more information are encouraged to visit the Maryland General Assembly's website at https://mgaleg.maryland.gov  contact the Maryland Department of Legislative Services.

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