Maryland is poised to join the ranks of states that have legalized the sale of recreational marijuana. As the countdown to the Fourth of July festivities begins, businesses are eager to seize the opportunity and commence sales. Approximately 100 already-licensed stores, authorized for medicinal cannabis sales, will soon be able to offer recreational marijuana starting this Saturday, marking a significant milestone more than five years since the state introduced medical marijuana sales. RISE Dispensary in Hagerstown is anticipating a large turnout. At 7:15am on Saturday July 1st, they will hold a special ribbon-cutting ceremony with ballons, music, and donuts to commemorate the event. RISE has opened stores in Joppa, Silver Spring, and Bethesda. To align with the taxation policy on alcohol, cannabis products will be subject to a 9% sales tax. Projections from state regulators suggest that the nascent recreational marijuana market could potentially generate an impressive $600 million in sales during its inaugural year. In parallel, Maryland lawmakers have also passed noteworthy legislation this year. Under the new law, the mere presence of cannabis odor will no longer serve as grounds for a police search. Furthermore, the penalty for public smoking has been reduced from a $250 fine to a more lenient $50 fine for first-time offenders.