Maryland cannabis employee training requirements

Every cannabis agent at a Maryland grower, processor or dispensary must complete an MCA-approved training course. New agents must finish within 90 days of their start date, and since July 1, 2026, everyone must retrain at least once every 2 years. Use a provider on the MCA's approved list, and pick a grower or processor track for production staff. Keep training materials and attendance records ready for MCA inspection.

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Maryland

Cannabis agent training

Who: Every registered cannabis business agent who works for or volunteers at a licensed grower, processor or dispensary.
New hires: Within 90 days of the agent's start date (effective July 1, 2026).
After that: At least once every 2 years (state law since July 1, 2026).
State-approved course needed: Yes, the course must be approved by the state
Courses from: $57 a seat, less for teams

Regulator: Maryland Cannabis Administration

Courses for Maryland

Buy one seat or a hundred. After checkout you assign seats to staff in your Learn Brands account, and certificates are stored there for inspections.

Maryland Retail Fundamentals Responsible Vendor Training

Maryland Retail Fundamentals RVT (Sell-SMaRT)

About 2.5 hours. By Sell-SMaRT, sold through Learn Brands.

Maryland responsible vendor training for dispensary teams, from Cannabis Trainers, which is on the Maryland Cannabis Administration's approved provider list. Ends in a Sell-SMaRT certificate.

$57 a seat. Team pricing: 2 to 24 seats $47, 25 to 74 seats $37, 75+ seats $27.

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Maryland Grower/Processor Fundamentals Responsible Vendor Training

Maryland Grower/Processor Fundamentals RVT (Sell-SMaRT)

About 2.5 hours. By Sell-SMaRT, sold through Learn Brands.

For Maryland cultivation and processing teams, from Cannabis Trainers, which is on the Maryland Cannabis Administration's approved grower and processor provider list. Ends in a Sell-SMaRT certificate.

$57 a seat. Team pricing: 2 to 24 seats $47, 25 to 74 seats $37, 75+ seats $27.

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What the training has to cover

Administrative and criminal liability
Legal requirements for employees and owners
State and local licensing and enforcement
Public health and safety standards for each license type
Other topics the MCA sets by regulation (until new rules are adopted, approved courses follow the MCA's earlier topic list: licenses, age and ID checks, potency and impairment, records, patient privacy, prohibited acts, and sales and delivery rules)

Does the course need state approval?

Agents must complete an MCA-approved course. Providers apply to the MCA, pay a fee, and are approved for three years. Courses need a final test passed at 70% or better and must stop online learners from skipping content. Providers cannot be employed by or hold an interest in a Maryland licensee. The MCA publishes an approved provider list (dated 10/21/2026) and a separate list of grower and processor tracks. Cannabis Trainers, LLC (the Sell-SMaRT provider) appears on both lists. Approved agent training does not replace the licensee's own training: COMAR 14.17.15.05 also requires each licensee to train every agent on its SOPs, diversion prevention, security, safety and emergencies, and the State drug-free workplace policy.

Records to keep

Licensees must keep training materials and attendance records and make them available to the MCA for inspection. The rule we read does not set a retention period for licensees. Approved providers must keep their training records for at least 4 years.

How our courses fit

Maryland Retail Fundamentals: Responsible Vendor Compliance Training (Sell-SMaRT). For dispensary and retail agents. Sell-SMaRT is the program of Cannabis Trainers, LLC, which is on the MCA's approved provider list. About 2.5 hours, self-paced, with a 70% passing exam.

Maryland Grower/Processor Fundamentals RVT (Sell-SMaRT). For cultivation and processing agents. Cannabis Trainers, LLC is on the MCA's list of tracks vetted for growers and processors. About 2.5 hours, self-paced, with a 70% passing exam.

Maryland training questions

How soon must a new Maryland cannabis agent complete training?

Within 90 days of their start date. This was already in MCA rules, and HB 622 put it into state law on July 1, 2026.

Is Maryland cannabis agent training annual?

Not anymore. Since July 1, 2026, agents must retrain at least once every 2 years. The MCA says training completed in 2025 does not need to be repeated until 2027.

Does the course have to be MCA approved?

Yes. Agents must take a course from a provider on the MCA's approved list. The MCA asks people to report anyone claiming approval who is not on the list.

Can agents take the training online?

Yes. Most approved providers offer on-demand online modules. Cannabis Trainers also offers a live virtual classroom.

Do growers and processors take the same course as dispensary staff?

They can take any approved course, but the MCA lists separate tracks vetted for grower and processor agents.

How long is the training?

State law sets a 2-hour minimum. The MCA's provider guidance asks for at least 4 hours, so check the course length with your provider.

Sources

Rules: Md. Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §36-501(f) (as amended by HB 622, Chapter 375 of 2026), Md. Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-1001 to 36-1003 (text before HB 622), COMAR 14.17.15.05.

Last checked 2026-10-24. This page summarizes public rules and is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm with Maryland Cannabis Administration before relying on it.

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