Published: 7/3/2024
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today announced that total medical and adult-use retail sales surpassed $1.1 billion in the first 12 months following legalization. According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, monthly retail sales surpassed $95 million in June, with the adult-use market accounting for more than $67 million in sales. Since cannabis was legalized for adult consumers on July 1, 2023, adult-use sales totaled more than $700 million and medical sales totaled nearly $400 million.
“Our new adult-use cannabis market isn’t only generating extraordinary economic activity – it’s also helping us build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all,” said Gov. Moore. “Making Maryland more competitive means ensuring that everyone can reap the benefits of Maryland’s economic growth. This important milestone proves how our administration continually – and repeatedly – honors our deep commitment to that mission.”
One year into cannabis legalization, the Maryland Cannabis Administration, the Office of Social Equity, and the cannabis industry in Maryland continue to grow and evolve. Agency and industry highlights for the past year include:
- Administering the first cannabis business licensing round in the nation that was reserved exclusively for social equity applicants.
- Of the 205 selected applicants, 53.7% self-reported majority black or African American ownership, and 76.2% self-reported majority minority ownership; these businesses will more than double the number of licensed cannabis businesses operating in the state.
- Establishing a first-in-the-nation state cannabis reference laboratory dedicated to cannabis oversight and managed by a state cannabis regulatory agency.
- Collecting more than $40 million in fees from licensed cannabis businesses to support the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which provides funding directly to local jurisdictions to support community-based initiatives that benefit low-income communities and communities that were disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.
- In partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, establishing a first-in-the-nation Cannabis Workforce Development Program, which will prioritize training individuals with a history of cannabis-related offenses.
- In collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, launching a comprehensive public health and safety campaign, “BeCannabisSmart,” which promotes safe and responsible cannabis use and educates the public on important topics such as the dangers of drugged driving, smoke-free spaces, and safe storage of cannabis products.
- Launching a “Medical and Adult-Use Data Dashboard,” which provides public access to key program and industry metrics.
- Growing the Maryland Cannabis Administration from approximately 50 staff members to more than 100 to meet the additional responsibilities of an expanded medical and adult-use industry.
- Establishing the Office of Social Equity, an independent executive agency that serves to promote economic opportunity and equity in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market.
- Hosting technical assistance sessions for more than 1,400 registered participants; financial forecasting sessions for more than 600 registered participants; and application writing clinics for more than 700 registered participants to support aspiring cannabis business applicants.
- Obtaining more than 1,250 responses on the potential uses of the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, 74% of which expressed strong support for the reinvestment of cannabis tax revenue into communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.
“I am proud of the efforts of the Cannabis Administration staff who worked in collaboration with our governmental and industry partners to implement a safe and equitable market in Maryland, while simultaneously building a new regulatory agency,” said Maryland Cannabis Administration Director Will Tilburg. “As exciting as the past year has been, we expect the year ahead to be even more so, as new social equity businesses bring their passion and innovation to the Maryland market.”
“This milestone reflects the dedication and hard work of countless individuals who believe in the transformative power of equitable cannabis policies,” said Office of Social Equity Executive Director Audrey Johnson. “Our focus on social equity has paved the way for a more inclusive industry, and we remain committed to ensuring that all Marylanders benefit from this growing market. I am incredibly grateful to the Office of Social Equity team for their remarkable efforts, in support of diverse individuals and businesses aspiring to participate in Maryland’s cannabis economy.”
To learn more about the cannabis adult-use legalization timeline and notable milestones for the Maryland Cannabis Administration and cannabis industry, visit cannabis.maryland.gov.
