Thirty applicants have been granted approval to grow or process medical cannabis in Maryland. Voters legalized medical cannabis in Maryland over three years ago. The finalists have been narrowed down to men and women from a wide variety of backgrounds. The pool of applicants ranges from former law enforcement officers to those with ties in Colorado and other states.
The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission narrowed down 150 applicants for a grow license down to 15. The commission narrowed down 124 applicants for a processor license to 15 as well. Seven businesses won approval to both grow and process. The commission must now narrow down over 800 dispensary applications to 94 licenses.
“Now that the commissioners have made their selections, the real work begins for these companies,” said Patrick Jameson, Executive Director of the Commission. “We will implement a rigorous Stage Two background and financial due diligence process for these entities prior to issuing a license. A pre-approval is not a license. I truly look forward to facilitating this nascent state-wide industry and working with local, city and county jurisdictions and with the principals of these organizations.”
Businesses are now subject to the next step in the process, which involves a rigorous background check. Licensees who follow through will have a year to meet several regulatory requirements, including raising capital, securing real estate and zoning approvals.
The Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University scored the evaluation of the applicants. Members of the commission were appointed by the state and had the final say over approvals in cannabis production.
Maryland’s medical cannabis law uses broad language, so anyone with a condition that is severe enough is eligible to apply for medical cannabis.