Maryland Dispensaries Sold $90-Million In Legal Marijuana in October, including a record amount of adult-use cannabis

Maryland’s overall sales of marijuana for adult use, which began in July, were stronger than ever in October.

Licensed retailers in the state collectively sold more than $90 million worth of medical and retail cannabis during October. Medical marijuana sales accounted for a little over a third ($35 million or 39%) of the total, whereas recreational cannabis sales totaled $55 million.

Since the opening of the recreational marijuana market in July , sales of adult-use cannabis products have reached new highs every month. The monthly medical cannabis sales in October were the lowest for the entire year.

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) published this week the total October medical and adult-use sale figures.

Also, the agency released sales data for October by product category. Nearly $55 million worth of marijuana flower was sold. Then came concentrates ($24 million), infused edibles (six million dollars), non-edibles (5 million dollars) and shakes or trims (just under $500,000. Plant sales totaled around $25,000.

Regulators have announced a new round of licensing for social equity applicants. This will include more than 170 licenses for dispensaries. MCA recently issued resources for social equity applicants, and cautioned county governments about being reasonable when using zoning restrictions to limit the businesses.

Maryland has issued 101 licenses to dispensaries, which have been distributed fairly evenly across 47 legislative districts.

MCA also recently released guidance to minimize the risks of burglaries, and other crimes in licensed cannabis businesses. This is due to what they claim is an increase in thefts involving cash at dispensaries throughout the state.

The regulators stated that the ATMs in dispensaries were targeted by these burglaries. The MCA issuing this warning to reduce the vulnerability to burglaries, and to protect licensees, their employees and patients as well as consumers.

Cannabis retailers are usually cash-based. This is due in part to federal laws that limit the ability of banks, without risking legal liability, to serve the cannabis industry. This can make the facilities more attractive to burglars. Maryland cannabis regulators stated that ATMs must be placed “away from doors, windows, and exterior doors” in order to reduce crime. ATMs shouldn’t be visible outside of the dispensary.

MCA said that officials were also actively working on “cleanup bills” to adjust the regulations. He expects the legislature to take up this bill during the next legislative session. The agency stated that a series “limited town halls”, with stakeholders, including dispensaries and growers to develop permanent regulations, would help inform proposed changes.

A Maryland tax official stated earlier this year that to avoid the marijuana tax revenue being clearly identified on financial forms, Wells Fargo had to come up with an unusual workaround. Prohibitionists then asked a federal prosecutor to investigate this policy.

In July , a separate Maryland law went into effect that prohibits police officers from searching based solely on the smell or possession of marijuana. Another law was passed that prohibits state officials from construing the legal and responsible use by parents and guardians of cannabis as “neglect.”

Gallup Poll: Support for Marijuana legalization reaches record high of 70 percent, including a strong majority of Republicans

The post Maryland Dispensaries SOLD $90 MILLION IN LEGAL MARIJUANA IN OCTOBER, INCLUDING A RECORD AMOUNT OF ADULTS-USED CANNABIS first appeared on Marijuana Minute.

Author: Ben Adlin