Out in the East Coast’s first commercial marijuana field last week, hundreds of “frosted” marijuana flowers glistened, the fall light dancing off the lucrative cannabis oils. The gamble had paid off. Nearly an acre of carefully tended marijuana plants had delivered something far from guaranteed: a commercial-scale harvest cultivated outdoors in a climate ill-suited for […]
Maryland
Medical marijuana regulators stall industry expansion amid complaints of unfairness
Maryland’s medical marijuana regulators abruptly stalled a planned market expansion on Thursday after one company sued them and an influential group of state lawmakers separately complained of “impropriety.” The delay prolongs a three-year effort to enhance diversity among medical marijuana wholesalers and raises new questions about whether laws passed to remedy past regulatory missteps are […]
A bigger crop: Why Maryland’s medical pot growers are adding more plants
WARWICK, Md. — The air inside SunMed Growers’ sprawling, $10 million marijuana greenhouse was thick with the citrusy aroma of freshly harvested Lemon Skunk. Outside, heavy machinery cleared land for about 30,000 additional plants. “This is tripling for medical,” said owner Jake Van Wingerden, a former chairman of the Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association. “We’re […]
Maryland lawmakers have a lot to learn on legalizing marijuana
As Maryland’s lawmakers delve into the nuances of whether to legalize marijuana for recreational use, they’re learning that they have a lot of details to figure out. A joint House of Delegates-Senate work group on legalization met Monday for the second time, as members build up their knowledge of the drug before recommending whether — […]
Maryland task force begins work on potential legalization of marijuana
Should marijuana be legalized in Maryland? How should it be taxed? What impact would legalization have on crime rates and residents’ health? A Maryland General Assembly task force on Tuesday began its work on studying possible legalization of cannabis for adult use — a signal the legislature is getting serious about moving forward with legislation […]
Maryland Legalizes Medical Marijuana Edibles, With Caveats
Regulators are gearing up for a long debate about the size, shape, and other specifications of edibles. In May, Maryland legalized edible forms of medical marijuana. But don’t expect such products to be available in Maryland anytime soon. Regulators are gearing up for a long debate about exactly what shape these products can take, what […]
Baltimore to no longer prosecute marijuana possession
Baltimore’s top prosecutor announced Tuesday that the city will no longer prosecute any cases related to marijuana possession, regardless of quantity or a person’s criminal record. Marilyn Mosby, the state’s attorney in Baltimore, is also seeking to have the courts vacate roughly 5,000 prior marijuana convictions going back to 2011, The Associated Press reported. “No one who is serious about public […]
Aboard the ‘canna crawl’ bus, Maryland marijuana patients find community, resources
For the first time in five years, Joppa resident Brandon Bevins feels good. There’s still some pain, but after being diagnosed with bladder cancer at 31, he feels like he’s turning a promising corner. And he owes it all to the medicinal cannabis community, he said. “When you get sick, man, it really beats you down,” the former […]
Maryland medical cannabis panel allows firm to compete again as charges linger against 2 former executives
A year ago, Maryland medical marijuana regulators sought to deny a license to a company picked to grow the drug because there was “reasonable likelihood” it would not properly secure the medicine. At the time, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission had become concerned about the firm, MaryMed, after two of its former executives were charged […]
HB2 solves some but not all problems with Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Program
Change is in the air as the Maryland Medical Cannabis program continues to grow and evolve in a number of important ways. The program, which had only one licensed grower and zero patients at this time last year, now boasts 14 growers, 13 processors, 46 dispensaries, 800+ certified providers, and 33,000+ registered patients, with more […]
Maryland Regulators Approve Seven New Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Maryland marijuana regulators approved this week the opening of seven new medical marijuana dispensaries, including two in Baltimore. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission granted final approval for the seven dispensaries and for a new processor at its most recent meeting on Tuesday. The new dispensaries in Baltimore are ReLeaf Shop, which is opening April 20 […]
Maryland lawmakers reach deal on medical marijuana licenses, making more minority owners likely
The Maryland House and Senate have reached an agreement on the thorny issue of expanding the state’s nascent medical marijuana cultivating industry to give minorities an ownership role. The House of Delegates on Saturday approved a compromise measure by a wide margin that would allow the state to issue 20 new licenses for growing or […]
A Maryland MMJ Dispensary Has Banned Four Customers For Complaints Which May Be Against State Law
A medical marijuana dispensary in western Maryland has banned at least four customers because they posted complaints online about pricing or other issues, sparking concern from advocates and potentially violating state rules for the emerging industry. Joy A. Strand, the executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, said registered dispensaries have the right to decline […]
Maryland State Senate Raises The Amount Of Marijuana One Can Possess, Bans Smoking In Cars
Marylanders stopped by police could carry up to an ounce of marijuana and only face civil fines under a bill the state Senate passed Monday night. But it would be a crime to smoke while driving or riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Sen. Robert A. Zirkin, a Baltimore County Democrat, called it “a push and […]
Maryland’s Plan To Diversify Its Medical Marijuana Market Could Backfire
For months, Maryland lawmakers have planned to address the lack of diversity in the state’s nascent medical marijuana industry by offering more licenses. A new round of licensing was supposed to give the black-owned firms that were all but shut out of the first round another chance to gain a foothold in the lucrative industry. […]
In It’s First Week, Maryland Is Running Out Of Medical Marijuana
Maryland’s medical marijuana dispensaries finally opened this week after years of delay, but many are running out of the drug as limited supply is struggling to keep up with high demand. Five of seven licensed dispensaries that started selling the drug in recent days say they’ve either completely or almost run out of flower — the raw […]
Medical Marijuana Sales Have Officially Begun In Maryland
At least 200 would-be customers were lined up outside Rockville’s first medical marijuana dispensary Friday afternoon when one of the owners announced that a cannabis shipment — including elixirs, tablets and flowers — had arrived. Bill Askinazi promised that everyone in line would go home with at least some marijuana, then said computer issues were […]
First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Set To Open In Maryland
SALISBURY, Md.- The first medical marijuana dispensary on the Eastern Shore of Maryland could open within weeks in Salisbury. Other dispensaries are preparing to open as well, possibly next year. They will all do so with a unique set of challenges. Peninsula Alternative Health on Snow Hill Road will be the first to open its doors to […]
