Effective October 1, 2022, a new Maryland law bans the sale, purchase, offer for sale, or the possession with intent to sell* of products derived from 17 animal species. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Natural Resources Police are enforcing this law and educating the public on how it may impact them.
Bonobo
Cheetah
Chimpanzee
Elephant
Giraffe
Gorilla
Hippopotamus
Jaguar
Leopard
Lion
Mammoth
Mastodon
Orangutan
Pangolin
Rhinoceros
Sea Turtle
Tiger
* Includes possessing the covered animal species part or product in a retail or wholesale establishment where similar items are bought and sold.
Note that these new regulations do not restrict personal possession of products containing parts of these species – you may legally keep such items if you currently own them, but not buy, sell, or offer to sell them. Maryland regulations do not supersede federal regulations on possession of these items.
Penalties for violating this law include forfeiture of the item and fines of up to $3,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for subsequent offenses.