Laws in Maryland that impose fines ranging from $5 to $500 for manufacturing, trading, or selling 'stench bombs' are considered unusual.

Unusual laws encompass regulations for thistle cultivation and performing 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

Laws in Maryland that impose fines ranging from $5 to $500 for manufacturing, trading, or selling 'stench bombs' are considered unusual.
Laws in Maryland that impose fines ranging from $5 to $500 for manufacturing, trading, or selling 'stench bombs' are considered unusual.

Maryland is renowned for its popular tourist attractions, such as the stops along the Chesapeake Bay and the Ocean City Boardwalk. Additionally, Maryland is celebrated for its delectable seafood, particularly its sweet blue crabs.

Some strange laws in the state may be unknown to both residents and visitors.

Below are some of Maryland's head-scratching laws.

Maryland stae flag
Among Maryland's oddest laws include stink bombs, dyed chicks and "The Star-Spangled Banner." (iStock)

It is unlikely to find any "stench bombs," also known as stink bombs, in Maryland.

A device that emits a foul odor when activated is known as a stench bomb.

In Maryland, it is illegal to trade, produce, or sell the device that causes a foul odor.

According to Maryland law, a stench bomb is any substance or matter that is intended to be thrown, dropped, poured, deposited, or discharged with the purpose of producing a noxious, nauseating, sickening, irritating, or offensive odor.

Woman holding her nose
There is a law in Maryland that prevents the use of "stench bombs," also commonly referred to as stink bombs. (iStock)

According to Article 19 § 59-30, the fines for breaking this law can vary, with offenders potentially facing a fine of up to $500 or as little as $5 at the discretion of the court.

Consider twice before growing thistles in Maryland.

Most states prohibit the cultivation of noxious plants, which include various types of thistles.

The noxious plants and weeds as per Maryland Agriculture Code Section 9–401 are specified in the code.

Some of the plants in this list are thistles from the asteraceae or compositae family, such as Canada, musk, nodding, plumeless, and bull thistle. Others are Johnsongrass (sorghum halepense) or hybrids that include Johnsongrass as a parent.

Pink thistle
Many kinds of thistles are considered to be "noxious weeds" in Maryland law. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Cane, both shattered and wild (sorghum bicolor), is also included on the list.

Baltimore is where Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," which was born in Maryland.

Numerous states have laws regarding the performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

According to Article 19 § 49-1 of the City of Baltimore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" cannot be played, sung, or performed in any public place, public entertainment, theater, moving picture hall, restaurant, or café, except as a standalone and separate entity.

According to Maryland law, "The Star-Spangled Banner" or any portion of it cannot be included in a medley of any kind.

American flag stock image
Maryland is one U.S. state that has stipulations in the law regarding the performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner." (iStock)

According to the law, dancing or exiting during the playing of the national anthem is prohibited, and those playing it must stand.

Those who break this law could be fined up to $100.

Another state, like Massachusetts, has a law regarding the performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

It's better to leave chicks alone in Maryland, as dyeing them can result in legal consequences.

It is illegal to sell, offer for sale, barter, or give away a chick as a pet, toy, premium, or novelty, or to change its natural color, according to Maryland Criminal Law Code § 10-614.

The penalty for altering the hue of a chick can be as much as $25.

by Ashlyn Messier

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