Maryland officials have launched a new portal to allow people to check if they are eligible for a license to operate a marijuana business based on social equity before the regulators start accepting applications later this year.
Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), announced on Friday, that the Social Equity Verification Portal would open on September 8, 2018. This is one of many ways that regulators are working on promoting policies in the state’s marijuana legalization law to support communities disproportionately affected by criminalization.
Will Tilburg, Acting Director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, said: “We want to make sure that everyone who is interested in a marijuana business license has a way to verify their eligibility before the application period begins.” We are thrilled to provide this tool to all potential applicants, at no cost.
As a result, the first round of licenses for marijuana growers, processors and retailers will only be granted to equity applicants. This makes the portal even more valuable, and potential entrepreneurs will consider whether or not they want to participate in the marketplace.
The sale of recreational marijuana began on July 1, through medical cannabis businesses who have obtained dual licenses allowing them to take part in the adult-use markets.
Equity applicants are those who have owned at least 65 percent of their business by individuals who have lived in an “area disproportionately affected” for a period of five years or more. The applicant must have also attended a Maryland four-year school or a Maryland public high school for a minimum of five years.
The announcement of the portal comes the same day as MCA’s Office of Social Equity released information on eligible zip codes and public schools, so that people can begin looking into their eligibility before the verification tool becomes available.
The state Department of Commerce has started accepting grant applications from for $40 million to fund social equity.
The same fund has been used to provide grants to existing medical marijuana businesses to convert them into dual-licensed companies that can service the adult market.
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Since the legalization of marijuana at the start of July, only medical cannabis dispensaries that were already in existence are currently selling it to adult consumers. Initial state data also shows strong sales with over $87 million in cannabis purchases during the first month.
Andrew Garrison, MCA’s Andrew Garrison, said in July the state was uniquely ready for the implementation the marijuana legalization laws. This followed a deep study by lawmakers and the approval of a reform proposal at the ballot this year.
Garrison, who is assessing the first month of recreational marijuana sales in the state, said that officials are actively working on “cleanup bills” to adjust the regulations. He expects the legislature to take up this bill during the next legislative session.
MCA will hold what it calls “limited town halls” to discuss permanent regulations with stakeholders, such as dispensaries and growers, patient advocates, and others. This process will include public comment periods when the draft rules are published.
A separate Maryland law took effect on July, prohibiting police from searching based solely on the smell or possession of marijuana. Another law passed prohibits state officials from interpreting the responsible and lawful use of cannabis by parents or guardians as “neglect.”
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Photo by Philip Steffan.
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