Maryland officials are unveiling a new portal that will allow people to check their eligibility for a social equity cannabis business license before regulators begin to accept applications later this year.
The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) announced on Friday that the Social Equity Verification Portal will open on September 8. It’s one of the latest ways regulators are working to promote policies built into the state’s legalization law that support communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis criminalization.
“Our goal with establishing this verification tool is to ensure that every person who may be interested in a cannabis business license knows before the application period opens whether they are eligible to apply,” Maryland Cannabis Administration Acting Director Will Tilburg said. “We are excited to offer this verification tool, free of charge, to all prospective applicants.”
The first round of new cannabis grower, processor, and retailer licenses will be issued exclusively to equity applicants, making the portal all the more valuable and prospective entrepreneurs consider whether they will seek to participate in the market.
Recreational cannabis sales launched on July 1 through existing medical cannabis businesses that obtained dual licenses that allow them to participate in the adult-use market.
Read more at marijuanamoment.net