Maryland Real Estate & Cannabis Regulations

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) has completed the first round of applications for adult-use cannabis licenses as of December 2023 and is now in the process of verifying the applicants. The announcement for the lottery date to distribute these licenses is anticipated in the upcoming weeks.

There’s another application round planned for after May 2024, marking the first time that both Social Equity and general applicants will be eligible to apply. This round will also introduce consumption lounge licenses, a new category in Maryland’s cannabis licensing.

Application rules are strict to ensure fairness: an individual can only be involved in one application per license type and a maximum of two applications in any application round.

For Maryland’s second round of adult-use cannabis licensing, expected in the spring or summer of 2024, the following licenses will be available:

Standard Licenses:

• 25 Grower licenses
• 25 Processor licenses
• 120 Dispensary licenses

Micro Licenses:

• 70 Grower licenses
• 70 Processor licenses

This upcoming licensing round is a significant step for Maryland’s cannabis market, offering opportunities for both established businesses and new entrants, including those qualifying under the Social Equity category, which aims to address past disparities in cannabis-related law enforcement.

Uses: Grower, Processor, Dispensary, Micro Grower, Micro Processor, Micro Dispensary,  Incubator Space License, On- Site Consumption

First Round Caps:

• Standard licenses: 75 grower licenses; 100 processor licenses; and 300 dispensary licenses;
• Micro licenses: 100 grower licenses; 100 processor licenses; and 10 dispensary licenses;
• Incubator space licenses, 10 licenses;
• On–site consumption licenses, 50 licenses.

A list of how many licenses will be allowed in each county can be found here.

Second Round of Licensing Caps: 

• Standard licenses: 1. 25 grower licenses; 2. 25 processor licenses; and 3. 120 dispensary licenses
• Micro licenses: 1. 70 grower licenses; and 2. 70 processor licenses
• 10 incubator space licenses
• 15 on–site consumption licenses

Distance Requirement: The Cannabis Reform Act established certain restrictions on dispensary locations specifically: a licensed dispensary may not locate within 500 feet of a pre-existing primary/secondary school in the State, a licensed child care center, registered family child care home, playground, rec center, library, or public park; OR 1,000 feet from another licensed dispensary.

Note: Local jurisdictions (political subdivisions) are not allowed to ban cannabis uses. Local jurisdictions can lower the distance requirements from the state standard setback distances, but they may not decrease them or place additional setback restrictions.

Applicant Verification

The MCA opened the Social Equity Verification Portal on September 8, to allow individuals to confirm their eligibility as a social equity applicant prior to the beginning of the licensing round. The portal will be open for a period of 60-days, closing on November 7. To request a link to this portal from the MCA, you must first complete this form: Cannabis Business Licensing Interest Form.

More information on the verification process can also be found here: Social Equity Verification ​and by referencing this guide: Maryland Social Equity Cannabis Verifica​tion A Guide for Applicants

TBD