In the state of Maryland the medical cannabis laws in place designate it as legal when used medicinally. However possession of medical cannabis still remains a Federal violation. While the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has the authority to enforce federal cannabis laws, in 2014 the federal budget legislation began prohibiting the DOJ from interfering with the implementation of state medical cannabis programs. Since then the courts have consistently followed the statutory provision to protect  “individuals who engaged in conduct permitted by state medical marijuana laws and who fully complied with such laws.” U.S. v. McIntosh, 833 F.3d 1163 (9th Cir. 2016).​ Each year the federal budget legislation does have to be reauthorized.