why do they call maryland the free state
Maryland After Georgia congressman William D. Upshaw criticized Maryland openly in 1923 for not passing Prohibition laws, Baltimore Sun editor Hamilton Owens coined the "Free State" nickname for Maryland in that context, which was popularized by H. L. Mencken in a series of newspaper editorials.[75][78]
McCulloch v. Maryland The case established two important principles in constitutional law. Firstly, the Constitution grants to Congress implied powers to implement the Constitution's express powers to create a functional national government. Secondly, state action may not impede valid constitutional exercises of power by the federal government.