Rockville, MD Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Opt-out status
- Not opted out: a defined use
- License required
- Maryland State cannabis retail license
- Spacing rule
- State § 36-410 distance standard
- Zoning section
- Sec. 25.6.4.10, Cannabis Dispensary
Summary
Rockville has not opted out of cannabis retail: its Zoning Ordinance defines Cannabis Dispensary as a licensed retail use, requiring a Maryland State license and compliance with the State's own dispensary-distance rule.
Cannabis Dispensary means any retail establishment that is licensed by the State of Maryland to sell cannabis to patients or consumers. (b) Use standards. In all zones, the following standards apply: (1) Cannabis Dispensaries must meet all applicable requirements of State law and regulations, including any distance requirements of Sec. 36-410 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article.
Full Breakdown
§ 25.6.4.10 of the 2026 Zoning Ordinance treats a Cannabis Dispensary as any retail establishment licensed by the State of Maryland to sell cannabis to patients or consumers. Rather than banning the use or writing its own buffer, Rockville's zoning code simply requires the dispensary to meet all applicable State licensing law and regulations, including the location-distance standard set out in § 36-410 of the Maryland Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article. That means the City has created a defined, zoning-recognized use category for cannabis retail rather than exercising a local opt-out, and it leans on the State's own spacing rule instead of layering on a separate City buffer.
Violations & Fines
Operating a cannabis retail use without the required Maryland dispensary license, or in violation of the § 36-410 distance rule it incorporates, breaches § 25.6.4.10(b)(1): a municipal infraction under § 25.13.2.1(a) and § 1-9, up to $400 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Rockville opted out of allowing cannabis dispensaries?
What spacing rule applies to a cannabis dispensary in Rockville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockville
Compare Rockville to another location·View the Maryland cannabis regulations overview
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