{"id":2089,"date":"2026-02-22T18:53:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T18:53:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=2089"},"modified":"2026-04-11T03:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T03:11:53","slug":"maryland","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.botanicalae.org\/?page_id=2089","title":{"rendered":"Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SB820<\/a>\u00a0Do NOT support<\/strong>, Nonapproved consumable product
Status: Engrossed on March 19 2026 – 50% progression
Action: 2026-04-09 – Second Reading Passed with Amendments
Text:\u00a0Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]<\/a>

HB1523<\/a> House version of SB820 Do NOT Support<\/strong>
Status: Engrossed on March 23 2026 – 50% progression
Action: 2026-04-09 – Third Reading Passed (41-0)
Text:\u00a0Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]<\/a>
Maryland House Bill 1523 (HB 1523)<\/strong> is the House version of the restrictive kratom legislation currently being considered in the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. It is cross-filed with SB 820<\/a>, meaning they are identical bills moving through both chambers simultaneously.

Hearing Overviews<\/strong>
The session was a “Hearing Only” meeting, meaning no formal vote was taken by the committee that day. Testimony was heard from several stakeholders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opponents:<\/strong> Included kratom consumers and advocacy groups who expressed concerns over the bill\u2019s restrictive language and potential for a de facto ban on various kratom products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hearing Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The session was a “Hearing Only” meeting, meaning no formal vote was taken by the committee that day. Testimony was heard from several stakeholders:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opponents:<\/strong> Included kratom consumers and advocacy groups who expressed concerns over the bill\u2019s restrictive language and potential for a de facto ban on various kratom products.

The bill remains in the Senate Finance Committee<\/strong>. No voting session has been held yet to move it to the Senate floor. However, with the First Lady’s active involvement, the bill is expected to see a committee vote soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proponents:<\/strong> Led by the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC)<\/strong>, who argued for expanded enforcement powers to curb the sale of “unauthorized” products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proponents:<\/strong> Led by the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC)<\/strong>, who argued for expanded enforcement powers to curb the sale of “unauthorized” products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n



Senate Finance Committee Contact List<\/strong>
Committee email: aa_fin@mga.maryland.gov<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member<\/strong><\/td>Email Address<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Pamela Beidle<\/strong>, Chair<\/td>pamela.beidle@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Arthur Ellis<\/strong><\/td>arthur.ellis@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Dawn Gile<\/strong><\/td>dawn.gile@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Stephen Hershey, Jr.<\/strong><\/td>steve.hershey@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Carl Jackson<\/strong><\/td>carl.jackson@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Benjamin Kramer<\/strong><\/td>benjamin.kramer@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Clarence Lam<\/strong><\/td>clarence.lam@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Johnny Mautz<\/strong><\/td>johnny.mautz@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Justin Ready<\/strong><\/td>justin.ready@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Alonzo Washington<\/strong><\/td>alonzo.washington@senate.maryland.gov<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Submission Details<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Official Testimony:<\/strong> Note that the Maryland General Assembly usually requires formal written testimony to be uploaded via their online portal<\/a> during specific windows (often 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. the day before the hearing).

If that window has passed for a tomorrow 1:00 p.m. hearing, direct emails to the Senators’ offices are your best alternative to make your position known.

Email Template<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CC:<\/strong> aa_fin@mga.maryland.gov<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject:<\/strong> OPPOSE SB 820 \u2013 Consumable Product Enforcement & Seizure
Body:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear

My name is [Your Name], and I am a resident of [Your City\/District]. I am writing to formally voice my opposition to SB 820<\/strong> as it is currently written<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I understand the importance of product safety, I am concerned that the broad language of this bill would effectively ban access to natural kratom products. Many Marylanders, including myself, rely on these products for [mention a brief personal reason, e.g., chronic pain management, wellness, or as an alternative to other medications]<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of a ban, I urge the committee to support the standards already established in the Kratom Consumer Protection Act (KCPA)<\/strong>, which focuses on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n