MARYLAND, USA — Starting Monday, Marylanders can apply for the first round of recreational cannabis business licenses, but there are restrictions and requirements just to apply. In addition, an application doesn't guarantee a license as there are only 179 licenses up for grabs.
WUSA9 spoke to Northwest, D.C. native Keisha Reed, who is one of those applicants. Reed started using medical cannabis in 2017 for her anxiety and the narrative surrounding cannabis affected her family and community.
"I visited family members in federal prisons for charges that were related to this plant, the over-policing of my community to this plant," she explained. "I went to an institution where a lot of individuals around me that had similar and shared experiences."
She started the process towards applying for a recreational cannabis license over the summer, in hopes of opening her own business.
"It’s been pretty emotional," she said. "When you think of the weight on your shoulders as it relates to getting to the license process, even getting over the hump of being awarded a license."
According to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, there are up to 179 licenses that will be awarded by the following breakdown:
- 75 standard dispensaries - distributed by county
- 16 standard growers - distributed by region
- 32 standard processors - distributed by region
- 24 micro growers - distributed by region
- 24 micro processors - distributed by region
- 8 micro dispensaries - distributed by region
According to Keisha, the fees aren't as hefty as some other states across the country.
"Typically, an application fee can be four to five zeros as it relates to the fee," she explained. "Maryland has allowed this round to not go over $10,000 so it starts as small as $1,000 depending on if you’re a micro."
She's hoping that the investment will eventually pay off in an industry that continues to grow, because according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration, sales of non-medical cannabis among adults has grown by $2.1 million since August.
Keisha also started a nonprofit to help any Marylanders who are interested in starting the process to apply for a cannabis business license. You can find more information here.