Maryland has hit a major milestone in the cannabis industry, with Governor Wes Moore announcing that total medical and adult-use retail cannabis sales have exceeded $1.1 billion in the first year following legalization. The adult-use market alone has accounted for over $700 million in sales, while medical sales have reached nearly $400 million.
The state has made significant progress in establishing a fair and equitable cannabis market, with initiatives such as the state’s first-in-the-nation cannabis reference laboratory and a Cannabis Workforce Development Program that prioritizes training individuals with a history of cannabis-related offenses. The Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which collects fees from licensed cannabis businesses, provides funding to support community-based initiatives benefiting low-income communities and those disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.
Additionally, the Maryland Department of Health launched a comprehensive public health and safety campaign, BeCannabisSmart, to promote responsible cannabis use. A medical and adult-use data dashboard has also been launched to provide public access to key industry metrics.
Maryland Cannabis Administration Director Will Tilburg expressed pride in the efforts to implement a safe and equitable cannabis market in the state, while Office of Social Equity Executive Director Audrey Johnson highlighted the focus on social equity to ensure that all Marylanders benefit from the growing market.
The state continues to evolve and grow in the cannabis industry, with Governor Moore emphasizing the economic benefits and opportunities that recreational marijuana legalization has brought to Maryland.
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