The debate to legalize recreational marijuana is gaining momentum across Maryland, but some are urging lawmakers to slow down the process.
Tag Archives: maryland
Maryland Report Suggests State Consider Race in Cannabis Licensing Process
Minorities in the state of Maryland are at a disadvantage in the state’s medical cannabis licensing process, according to the report of a state consultant hired to review a 2017 disparity study after controversy arose over the fact that no minority-owned businesses were awarded a medical cannabis license.
Maryland Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Are Running Out of Pot
Maryland citizens interested in buying medical marijuana days after the launch of a state-sanctioned program may already be out of luck.
Marijuana Point-of-Sale Technology Designed to Ensure Owner Compliance
Medicinal marijuana stores are finally beginning to open after Maryland legalized the substance in 2013, and a California-based company is helping make that transition smoother.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Dispensaries Now Open to Patients
Patients in the Old Line State have been waiting for more than four years for the ability to purchase medical cannabis legally and now the wait is finally over. On Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, the first batch of Maryland medical cannabis dispensaries opened their doors to serve the state’s patients.
Joy Strand Joins Cannabis Commission as Executive Director
LINTHICUM, MD., Nov. 29, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Joy Strand will become executive director of the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission on Dec. 4. Strand, who has more than 40 years’ experience in healthcare, arrives as licensed companies begin to provide their medical products to qualified patients.
Three More Maryland Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses Awarded
With several Maryland medical marijuana dispensary licensees preparing to open their doors within the next week and certified patients ready to buy their products, the state has awarded three more dispensary licenses, giving Maryland a total of nine licensed dispensaries.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Approves Licenses for More Dispensaries, Bringing Number to 9
LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 28, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — During its recent meeting, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission voted to approve licenses for three more dispensaries, bringing the number of such licensed companies to nine. The companies are Growing Ventures LLC, GTI Maryland LLC (dba Rise Silver Spring) and Maryland Wellness Access (dba Remedy Columbia). They…
2 Maryland Companies to Study Medical Marijuana Vaping
With the state set to make medical marijuana available within weeks, two Maryland companies have formed a partnership to study how well vapor-inhalation devices work for patients.
Full Implementation of Maryland Medical Cannabis Program Nearing Launch
LINTHICUM, Md., Nov. 17, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — With the Maryland medical cannabis program weeks away from full implementation, two licensed companies are partnering, starting today, to study the effectiveness of vapor inhalation devices for use by patients.
Maryland Black Caucus Plans to Address Racial Diversity in Medical Cannabis Industry
In an effort to increase racial diversity in the state’s medical cannabis industry, the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus has announced plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would award additional medical cannabis licenses to businesses owned by African-Americans.
Executive Director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Resigns
The executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has announced his resignation, with plans to move on to new ventures.
An Inside Look at Maryland’s Budding Medical Marijuana Industry
FREDERICK, Maryland — It’s been years in the making but cultivators and dispensaries for medical marijuana are now in the final stages of preparing for the start of business later this year.
Survey: 11% of Government Employees in D.C. Area Have Bought Legal Pot
Washington, D.C., isn’t a large market for the cannabis industry, but it could be very influential with regards to legalization. It turns out that quite a few cannabis buyers are government employees, according to new research.
Case That May Disrupt MD Medical Marijuana Industry Will Go to Trial
Baltimore judge ruled Wednesday that a case that could disrupt Maryland’s fledgling medical marijuana industry should proceed to trial.
University of Maryland Suspends Plans for Medical Marijuana Certification Course
The University of Maryland’s School of Pharmacy has suspended its plans to launch an online medical marijuana certification course.
Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Crop is Finally Growing
At long last, Maryland’s first legal marijuana crop is growing. With 19 companies cleared to grow, process and sell the plant, the seeds of the medical marijuana program have literally been planted, four years after the state legalized cannabis for medical use.
Despite Missing Deadline, 3 Maryland Medical Marijuana Growers Approved
Despite missing a key state deadline earlier this month, three more medical marijuana growers won final licenses on Monday to cultivate the drug.
Marijuana States Try to Curb Smuggling, Avert US Crackdown
Officials suspect pot grown legally in Oregon and other marijuana states is also being smuggled out, and the trafficking is putting America’s multibillion-dollar marijuana industry at risk.
These Are the 8 Newly Licensed Maryland Medical Cannabis Cultivators
On Aug. 14, 2017, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission greenlit eight final cultivation licenses, meaning the newly licensed can finally start cultivating medical cannabis.
Ready or Not, Maryland Marijuana Firms Face Big Deadline
Maryland’s beleaguered medical marijuana industry faces a critical deadline Monday, when companies the state has selected to grow the plant are required to be operational.
Maryland Marijuana Officials Investigate Licensees With Potential Conflicts of Interest
After news of possible connections between experts hired to evaluate marijuana business applications and the applicants, Maryland marijuana officials are investigating potential conflicts of interest.
Maryland Lawmakers Reject Calls to Hold Special Session on Medical Marijuana
Despite claims of discrimination, Maryland lawmakers have rejected calls to hold a special session on medical marijuana.
Maryland’s Highest Court Hears Medical Marijuana Case
Companies in the final running for licenses to grow medical marijuana should be able to defend their multimillion-dollar investments against a legal challenge over how those finalists were picked, an attorney argued Thursday in court.
Arizona Medical Marijuana Merger Creates State’s Largest Operator
A recent Arizona medical marijuana merger has enabled a national marijuana company to become the largest operator in the Grand Canyon State. On July 11, 2017, Harvest merged with Modern Flower, a local cultivator, making Harvest the greatest license-holder for medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivation facilities in the state.
University of Maryland to Offer Online Medical Marijuana Certification Classes
Individuals hoping to break into Maryland’s burgeoning medical marijuana industry will be able to get special training thanks to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
Governor Larry Hogan Announces Appointments to Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission
ANNAPOLIS, M.D., July 6, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — Governor Larry Hogan today announced ten appointments to the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission. The commission oversees the development of policies, procedures, and regulations to ensure that medical cannabis is available to qualifying patients.
Maryland Approves First Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Regulators approved Maryland’s first medical marijuana dispensary on Wednesday, authorizing a Frederick company to open its doors immediately even though the drug will not be available for months.
Medical Cannabis Patient Advocacy Group Partners with University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to Expand Training Needs of Cannabis Industry
WASHINGTON, June 22, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On Thursday, June 22nd, the Patient Focused Certification (PFC) Training Program will unveil its new training platform on the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s online learning platform. The partnership between PFC and the School of Pharmacy’s Center for Innovative Pharmacy Solutions (CIPS) is directed toward medical cannabis businesses.
MD’s Highest Court Stops Case That Would Halt Medical Marijuana Licenses
Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera issued an order on Friday that halted a hearing in Baltimore Circuit Court, where Judge Barry Williams had been scheduled to review his decision last week to temporarily stop the commission from issuing any more licenses. Williams’ order expires Sunday.
Maryland Court of Appeals Puts Medical Marijuana Lawsuit on Hold
On June 2, 2017, the Maryland Court of Appeals put a medical marijuana lawsuit on hold that stands to potentially delay the roll out of the state’s medical marijuana program.
Maryland Medical Marijuana Grow Licensing Placed on Hold
It has been a month full of highs and lows for Maryland medical marijuana growers. Last week, on May 15, 2017, news came out that after months of controversy regarding racial disparities the state awarded its grower’s license to Anne Arundel County’s ForwardGro. The victory was short-lived though, as this past Thursday, May 25, a hold was placed on the commission’s ability to grant new licenses.
Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Program Takes Big Step Forward
Maryland’s medical marijuana program took a big step forward this week with the awarding of the state’s first grower’s license. ForwardGro, based in Anne Arundel County, could make medicine available to patients this fall, but a number of outside forces might put the brakes on the process.
Maryland Auditor: Cannabis Commission Bungled Evaluation Contract
On May 3, 2017, the Maryland Office of Legislative Audits released a fiscal compliance audit of the state’s regulatory services, including an examination of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission’s contracting of Towson University’s Regional Economic Studies Institute to process and evaluate applications for cultivation, processing and dispensing.
Maryland Governor Orders Disparity Study on State’s MMJ Program
On April 27, 2017, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that he had ordered the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs to launch a disparity study on the state’s medical marijuana program.
Governor Larry Hogan Issues Directive for Disparity Study of Medical Cannabis Industry in Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Md., April 27, 2017 /Weed Wire/ – Governor Larry Hogan today directed the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) to initiate a disparity study of Maryland’s regulated medical cannabis industry.
Judges in California Advised Not to Invest in Legal Marijuana
On April 19, 2017, the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions advised judges in California that holding a financial interest in any marijuana-related venture, whether medical or recreational, would violate the California Code of Judicial Ethics.
Maryland Legislative Black Caucus Wants Special Session on Medical Marijuana
On April 12, 2017, members of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus called on Gov. Larry Hogan to recall the General Assembly for a one-day legislative session aimed at passing House Bill 1443, a measure meant to help diversify the state’s medical marijuana industry.
Maryland Lawmakers Seek Racial Diversity for Marijuana Licenses
A battle over Maryland’s medical marijuana program is coming down to the number of licenses. Lawmakers are wrangling over increasing the number of medical marijuana licenses to achieve racial diversity. The law currently allows for 15 licenses. The Legislative Black Caucus wants to increase the licenses by five.
Medical Cannabis Company Ready to Expand in Maryland
Maryland’s medical cannabis program is expected to be fully up and running later this year, and in the coming months, patients can register with the state. But there’s a series of issues that still need to be resolved, even as marijuana growers and dispensaries are getting ready to open for business.
PTSD Marijuana Study Dispenses MMJ to First Military Veteran
On Feb. 6, 2017, the first clinical trial to study the effects of medical marijuana in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans dispensed medical marijuana to its first veteran at the Scottsdale Research Institute in Phoenix.
Maryland Firms Bumped as Finalists for Pot Licenses Fight for Answers
Last summer, Maryland selected 15 finalists from 145 applicants to grow and process medical marijuana, but none has received final approval. Two Maryland companies say the state is wrongly refusing to explain why they were abruptly bumped off as finalists.
First Participant Enrolled in First-Ever Trial of Marijuana for Chronic PTSD in Veterans
PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 7, 2017 /Weed Wire/ — On February 6, 2017, the first participant in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans received cannabis at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Ariz.
Maryland Legislature to Consider Regulating and Taxing Cannabis Similarly to Alcohol
ANNAPOLIS, Md., Jan. 30, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — State lawmakers rolled out legislation Monday that would regulate and tax cannabis similarly to alcohol in Maryland. Senate and House bill sponsors discussed the details of the proposal at a news conference in the Lowe House of Delegates Office Building.
Maryland Officials Warn Patients of Medical Marijuana Scammers
As Maryland prepares to implement its medical marijuana program over the next several months, state officials are warning residents to be on the look out for scammers attempting to turn a profit.
American Cannabis Company Announces Its Maryland Client Was Awarded an Operational License for the States Marijuana Dispensary Program
DENVER, Dec. 20, 2016 /Weed Wire/ — American Cannabis Company, Inc. (OTCQB: AMMJ) (the “Company”), a full-service business-to-business consulting solutions provider, and seller of ancillary products to the cannabis industry, today announced its Maryland based client successfully secured a dispensary license for the state’s new medical cannabis program.
Maryland Names Recipients of Dispensary Licenses
On Dec. 9, 2016, the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission named the 102 recipients of Stage One dispensary license pre-approvals, concluding the state’s application process for growers, processors and dispensaries.
Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Announces 102 Dispensary License Pre-Approvals
BALTIMORE, Md., Dec. 12, 2016/Weed Wire/ — The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (“MMCC”) today announced the names of 102 Dispensary entities who have been awarded Stage One license pre-approvals.
Maryland Pre-Approves Licenses for 102 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Maryland’s medical marijuana commission approved 102 dispensaries for preliminary licenses Monday.
MD Medical Marijuana Panel Illegally Ignored Race of Applicants
Alternative Medicine Maryland’s lawsuit is the second legal challenge seeking to overturn the commission’s preliminary decision in August on which 15 companies will grow the drug.