Starting this July, Marylanders will be able to purchase recreational cannabis, and we couldn’t be more stoked! Maryland will join East Coast states like New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut in cultivating a booming cannabis industry.
The particulars of Maryland’s cannabis legislation, however, have stood out to us here at PufCreativ. In this blog, we’ll cover the ins and outs of the new laws and why they have us so excited about marketing in Maryland!
Maryland’s New Rec Cannabis Policy Details
First, let’s talk numbers. Adults must be 21 or older to buy or consume recreational cannabis. An adult 21 or older can have up to 1.5 ounces on their person at any given time. Additionally, an adult 21 or older can grow up to 2 plants per household, not per person. The market will be regulated by the state, and taxes on sales will go to fund public health and education programs.
While cannabis is legal, that doesn’t mean it can be used anywhere at any time. The law also includes a number of restrictions, such as:
- Cannabis cannot be consumed in public places.
- Cannabis cannot be sold to minors.
- Cannabis cannot be used while driving.
- Cannabis cannot be used while operating heavy machinery.
The Law’s Focus On Social Equity
As professionals in the cannabis space, it’s our duty to also be advocates for social equity. That’s why it’s so important to us that states include social equity provisions to attempt to undo the damage of the War on Drugs. Coincidentally, Maryland’s recreational cannabis laws address social equity concerns in a number of ways.
First, the law includes a number of provisions that are designed to help people from communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. For example, the law sets aside a portion of the tax revenue from cannabis sales for programs that help people from these communities. The law also creates a social equity applicant program that gives priority to people from these communities when applying for licenses to grow, process, or sell cannabis.
Second, the law includes a number of provisions that are designed to ensure that minority-owned businesses have a fair chance to participate in the cannabis industry. For example, the law requires that at least 25% of the licenses to grow, process, or sell cannabis be awarded to minority-owned businesses. The law also requires that the state provide training and resources to help minority-owned businesses participate in the cannabis industry.
Third, the law includes a number of provisions that are designed to help people from communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs get jobs in the cannabis industry. For example, the law requires that at least 15% of the jobs in the cannabis industry be held by people from these communities. The law also requires that the state provide training and resources to help people from these communities get jobs in the cannabis industry.
The detrimental effects of the War on Drugs have been irreparable, especially in poor communities and communities of color. These provisions will allow those disproportionately impacted by harmful drug policy to participate in the cannabis industry and benefit from the economic opportunities that it creates.
Maryland’s Potential For A Cannabis Business Boom
At this point, Maryland is set up to succeed in the cannabis space. We see a ton of potential for cannabis dispensaries and other cannabis-related businesses:
- Maryland is located in a region with a strong demand for cannabis. The states of Virginia and Delaware, and the District of Columbia have also legalized recreational cannabis, making it a hot spot for cannabis consumers. This means that there is a large potential market for cannabis in the region, and Maryland is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand.
- Maryland has a number of businesses that are already involved in the cannabis industry, and these businesses are expected to play a major role in the development of the state’s cannabis market.
- Lastly, the cannabis industry is expected to create jobs and generate tax revenue for the state.
PufCreativ: Helping You Achieve Your Cannabis Marketing Goals
PufCreativ is a marketing agency that specializes in cannabis companies. We work with dispensaries and other cannabis-related businesses from the East to the West coast and everywhere in between.
Be sure to check out some of our esteemed clients making waves in the MD legal cannabis space:
- Ethos Cannabis – dispensary with locations in Baltimore & Rockville
- Highgrade Labs – cannabis/hemp testing labs serving Maryland
- Lillybear – freeze-dried cannabis edibles brand (Coming Soon!)
- Peake ReLeaf – dispensary located in Rockville
- Story Cannabis – dispensary with locations in Hyattsville, Mechanicsville, Silver Spring, & Waldorf
We deliver quality marketing and brand development for B2B, B2C, and MSO clients. We offer an extensive array of cannabis marketing services, including packaging and logo design, web design, social media marketing, copywriting, public relations, and more! Your marketing strategy from top to bottom will be handled by our expert creative team.
Are you an up-and-coming cannabis business in Maryland looking to make an impact? Contact us today!
