Tabatha Robinson

This summary report presents key measures and insights from the 2025 Maryland Cannabis Use Biannual Study, assessing youth and adult cannabis use rates, public perceptions, and critical public health and safety concerns like impaired driving and cannabis-related hospitalizations. It identifies strategic action steps to improve public awareness, close surveillance gaps in areas like pregnancy and problematic use, support research into mental health impacts and high-potency products, enhance healthcare provider training, and strengthen public health collaborations to ensure data-driven protections and responsive actions to the evolving cannabis landscape.

The meeting primarily focused on licensing and operational deadlines related to medical cannabis dispensaries. Key discussions included the unanimous approval to issue a dispensary license to Maryland Health and Wellness Center in Washington County after confirming all regulatory requirements were satisfied. The committee also voted to grant an extension of the operational deadline until December 31, 2019, for Alternative Medicine Maryland (AMM) due to unforeseen hardship related to changes in county zoning laws, with the requirement for AMM to provide detailed timelines and site control documentation upon their next review. A similar request for an extension was discussed for Maryland Physician Partners (MPP) due to zoning changes impacting their initially secured location.

The meeting centered on administrative reports, registration statistics, and license actions. Key statistics discussed included over 70,000 registered patients, 48,000 certified patients, and a current processing time of 12 business days for new applications. October sales figures for the first 11 months of operation were presented, totaling almost $82 million in retail sales. Significant discussion focused on outreach events, including a presentation to the legislative Black Caucus regarding the cannabis industry status and upcoming application processes. The primary business involved the Final Review Subcommittee report, which recommended the issuance of a Grower's license to Mary Med LLC and a Processor's license to Mary Med LLC, following verification of compliance with all regulations and inspections. Additionally, the subcommittee recommended approving entity name changes for two licensees: HMS Health LLC to HMS Processing LLC (a licensed processor) and HMS Health LLC to HMS Sales LLC (a licensed dispensary).

The meeting commenced with a compliance checklist reading to confirm adherence to open meetings requirements, including the availability of the agenda and provisions for public attendance and minutes recording. Key discussion items included updates on significant staff growth, with new hires for analyst, attorney general, IT director, and finance director positions, bringing the total staff count toward 40. Retail sales data for cannabis products was reviewed, showing May sales at $7.8 million and cumulative sales exceeding $27 million for the first six months. Patient statistics, including registered and certified patients and caregivers, were provided, noting processing times for applications. The commission is planning patient outreach fairs across the state. A major focus was the review and approval of proposed amendments to regulations concerning summary suspensions for licensees, detailing service of process, hearing procedures, and potential disciplinary actions. Furthermore, an amendment to authorize Independent Testing Laboratories (ITLs) to transport medical cannabis samples statewide while maintaining statutory immunity protections was approved, which also reduced the required number of personnel for transport from two to one. The Commission noted the upcoming next meeting scheduled for July 26, 2018, and the break scheduled for August.

The meeting included a comprehensive report on sales data, noting significant growth in the number of licensed dispensaries (from 8 to 71) and substantial retail sales (approaching $100 million in the first 12 months of product availability). Staffing levels increased substantially over the past year (from 17 to 37 physically present, with 9 more being recruited). Key operational updates covered the awarding of five grants related to House Bill 2 provisions for educational programs, the finalization and approval of emergency regulations, and ongoing outreach efforts targeting minority, women, and small businesses regarding the new application process. The commission is planning future work on license evaluations, expanding IT capabilities, implementing a records management system, developing new provider and agent training programs, and researching the development of a safe edibles program. Public comment focused primarily on proposed advertising regulations, with stakeholders requesting flexibility regarding social media disclaimers and age gates, and voicing concerns about overly restrictive advertising bans potentially infringing on free speech rights and stigmatizing patients.