When Can I??? ....

Basics

When are you considered an adult?
When you reach the age of 18 (a/k/a "the age of majority"), you possess, basically, all the rights of an adult in the State of Maryland. Except the right to drink alcohol! The downside, your parents can now officially cut you off financially, unless you are still in high school. Once you graduate, get married, turn 19, or drop out, you are on your own! (Unless you have nice and supportive parents, so get those mother's day and father's day cards early!)

When can you break away from your folks?
Emancipation, or the process of getting out from under your parents' control, is not so clear cut in Maryland. There are basically four (4) ways this will occur:

1. You turn 18;
2. You get married, or enter the military;
3. Your parents are abusive, neglectful, or fail to support you; or
4. Your parent agrees to let you be on your own (or kicks you out).
   For a much more detailed discussion on this topic, see the link below.

Health Issues

When can you consent to medical treatment?

1. depends on the circumstances. In short, you have the same rights as an adult, if:
2. You are married, or if you have a child;
3. If the doctor thinks your life or health would be in danger if treatment were delayed; or
4. If you are seeking treatment or advice for specific areas (drugs, pregnancy, contraception, sexual assault).

Abortion?
In Maryland, the general rule is that your parents will be informed, but there are exceptions. If you no longer live with your parents, or a reasonable effort made to contact them was unsuccessful, then a doctor may perform an abortion without parental notice. Other exceptions include: if a doctor, in his/her professional opinion, believes notice will result in physical or emotional abuse; or that the minor is mature and capable of making the decision; or notification would not be in the best interest of the minor. (Remember, this is the doctor's opinion, not yours!)

What if I need a psychiatrist? (What if my parents think I need a psychiatrist?)
At the age of 16, you have the same capacity as an adult to consent to consultation, diagnosis, and treatment of a mental or emotional disorder by a physician, psychologist, or a clinic. However, with respect to privacy, the doctor may (translation: he/she is not required to, so you can at the very least plead your case) give information to a parent or guardian about the treatment needed or provided. Being "involuntarily admitted" in Maryland requires that you meet five (5) criteria:

1. You have a diagnosed mental disorder;
2. You need inpatient care or treatment;
3. You present a danger to the life or safety of yourself or someone else;
4. You are unable (or unwilling) to be admitted voluntarily; and
5. There is nothing less restrictive that can be done to protect you or the other person.

Can I donate blood?
When you are 17, or 16 with parental consent.

Leisure Issues

Quarters? Beer bongs? Not until you are 21!
If you want to purchase, drink or hold alcohol in Maryland, you have to be 21! Maryland does allow you to transport alcohol (for a lawful purpose) if your parents know and consent to it, or if you are doing it for your job. You still can't drink it though.

When can I smoke? (Marijuana is "still" illegal in Maryland, even for medicinal purposes)
At age 18, feel free to light up. Until then, it is illegal to have them. In fact, you are not legally allowed to buy rolling papers until you are 18 either. Oh, and those coupons for cigarettes… you aren't allowed to receive them either. FYI, clove cigarettes are also illegal in Maryland.

Marijuana is not legal in Maryland under any circumstance. The eleven (11) states that legalize marijuana for medical use are Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. Before you plan that mystery malady and purchase a plane ticket, you should know, The Supreme Court, in June 2005 ruled that the federal government can prosecute medical marijuana patients, even in states that have compassionate use laws.

When can I get a tattoo or piercing?
At age 18, or younger with a parent's permission. However, most tattoo parlors will not tattoo or pierce anyone under 16, even with parental consent.

When can I purchase X-rated material?
Not until you are 18. A word of caution, it is illegal to show a minor an image of a "partially nude picture." Maryland defines that differently for a male vs. a female. You might want to look at the law before taking that camera phone picture for your significant other. You may be surprised at what is actually considered "partially nude."

S-E-X. (When is it legal, when is it not?)

Ready to see the world?
Information on how to obtain a passport is available at the U.S. Department of State website. If you are under 14, you will need both parents' or legal guardians' consent.

You gotta play to win (aka "You gotta pay to play!")
You must be 18 to play the lottery in Maryland. You can, however, receive a lottery ticket as a gift prior to that. Of course, someone could always share the prize with you, at any age. Interestingly, bingo is a no-no before age 18 in most counties. You could always write your congressperson to change the law!

When can you pawn that necklace the ex gave you?
Unfortunately, as much as you may despise the ex, you cannot pawn anything until you are 18.