Maryland
Maryland has no statute that makes supplying drugs that cause a death a crime of its own.
Supplying drugs that cause a death
A 2026 bill to create one (SB 906) was referred to committee and did not advance. A death can still be charged under the general homicide laws.
Calling for help: the Good Samaritan law
A person who seeks, gives or helps with medical help in good faith for someone having a drug or alcohol emergency, and the person having it, are immune from arrest, charge and prosecution for possession, paraphernalia and some underage-alcohol offenses when the evidence came solely from seeking help, and from probation or parole sanctions. It does not cover distribution. Seeking help may be a mitigating factor in any other prosecution.
Statute: Md. Code, Crim. Proc. § 1-210
Whatever the law says, if someone is overdosing, call 911. A life comes first. More on calling 911.
Federal law
Federal law applies in every state. When death or serious bodily injury results from using a Schedule I or II drug that a person distributed, federal law sets a mandatory minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life. Federal prosecutors can bring this charge whatever the state law says. (21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)-(C))
Cases from Maryland in the database sample
8 cases in the published sample of the drug-induced homicide case database were prosecuted in Maryland. The database is still being built; the complete version will be published when it is finished.
Sources
About this information
This page describes what the statutes say, as of 7 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and it can’t tell you how a court will apply the law to any particular case. Laws change; check the statute, and please speak to a lawyer in Maryland about your own situation.