Queen Anne's County, MD Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Cannabis siting is set by § 18:1-57.1 of the Queen Anne's County Code, added 6-10-2025 by Ord. No. 25-01, and it applies in unincorporated Queen Anne's County. Licensed growers, processors and dispensaries each have their own list of standards, and every list requires a copy of the state issued cannabis license to accompany any application made to the County.

For a licensed grower, subsection A(6) states that, as required by COMAR 15.01.16.03, cannabis can only be grown on land that is at least 1,000 feet from a school or public recreation area when grown in an outdoor field or an outdoor site. The grower must also provide a twenty-foot tree buffer of two rows of evergreens four to six feet in height around the active portion of the property and a setback of 300 feet for buildings associated with the operation. The property must meet the definition of a farm, exterior lighting must meet § 18:1-85, and the grower needs an operation and odor abatement plan prepared by a professional mechanical engineer and certified industrial hygienist, with annual documentation of compliance at the grower's own expense.

For a licensed dispensary, subsection C(5) prohibits three locations. It cannot be within 100 feet of a property zoned for residential use. It cannot be within 1/2 mile of a property containing another licensed cannabis dispensary. It cannot be within 500 feet of a property containing a pre-existing primary or secondary school, or a licensed child care center or registered family child care home under Title 9.5 of the Education Article, or a pre-existing playground, recreation center, library, public park, or place of worship. A licensed processor has no distance table, but if it is in the critical area it must be in the IDA.

The Department of Planning and Zoning administers the standards through site plan and zoning review, and the Planning Director enforces Chapter 18:1 under § 18:1-208.