 Showcasing Open Social Equity Businesses
Maryland Herb Co., also known as CarrCann, is Maryland’s first social equity standard grower. Located in Frederick, Maryland, they are supporting Maryland’s cannabis industry through quality cultivation and community commitment.
 Maryland Herb Co. Journey:
“While funding is always a major hurdle in cannabis, Maryland’s social equity program helped ease that pressure through grants and other incentives that made it more realistic to get from concept to operation. That support allowed us to focus less on sheer survival and more on building a durable, efficient operation aligned with social equity and responsible growth”. - Jigar Patel
What Social Equity Means to Maryland Herb Co:
“Equity in the cannabis space means having a real opportunity to participate in an industry and culture that has long been dominated by larger, well-funded operators. It represents a shift toward broader ownership, inclusion, and meaningful participation for smaller, values-driven teams.”
“Our work is not only about building a business, but also about contributing to a fairer and more accountable industry. - Jigar Patel
What Makes Maryland Herb Co. Unique:
“Our approach has been to build this company around the needs and preferences of the people of Maryland and the broader region. By hiring local industry professionals, listening closely to consumers, and engaging deeply with the community, we aim to be part of not just the cannabis culture but the wider culture of this region. - Jigar Patel
 Defining the Industry: OSE Leadership Named to High Times Power 100
We are thrilled to announce that our very own Deputy Director Courtney Davis and Communications & Public Affairs Manager Sirita Wright have been named to the inaugural HIGH Times Power 100: The Black Leaders Who Built Cannabis. Developed in partnership with Dr. Roz McCarthy and Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM), this list is a historical acknowledgment of the pioneers who have driven policy change, improved patient access, and organized communities nationwide. View the list here.
 Welcoming The Maryland Coalition for Cannabis Equity
We are excited to share news of the Maryland Coalition for Cannabis Equity (MCCE), a newly formed trade association for Maryland’s social equity licensees. The MCCE is dedicated to the success and sustainability of social equity licensees in Maryland. It serves as a unified voice for operators, advocating for fair market policies and providing essential resources to navigate the licensing and operational landscape. Their core mission is to transform equity licenses into successful, long-term businesses. Get involved
Maryland Moves Intoxicating Hemp Products Into the Regulated Cannabis Market
Local jurisdictions in Maryland have begun enforcing stricter rules requiring intoxicating hemp products, such as Delta-8 and Delta-10 products, to be sold only through licensed cannabis dispensaries rather than gas stations or convenience stores. The effort aims to reduce youth access to intoxicating products, ensure proper testing and labeling, and move these products into the regulated market. Learn more
Lone Star Legalization? Texas Voters Approve Reform
Texas Democratic primary voters have overwhelmingly approved a non-binding proposition to legalize adult-use cannabis and expunge past low-level convictions. Preliminary results from the March 2026 primary show the measure passing by a landslide 80% to 20% margin. While the vote does not immediately trigger a change in state law, the decisive outcome sends a powerful signal to the Texas Legislature to prioritize reform during the next session in 2027. Learn more
🌍The Global Movement
While US states continue to advance towards legalization, nations globally are undertaking significant efforts to redefine the place of cannabis in contemporary society.
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France: Landmark medical cannabis reimbursement plans at Cannabis Europa Paris, marking a final step toward a permanent national market by April 2026. Learn more
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Ghana: New cannabis laws as the country moves to unlock the economic potential of industrial hemp while maintaining strict bans on recreational use. Learn more
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Argentina: University Diploma Program Sprouts New Generation of Professional Cannabis Growers. Learn more
 Cannabis-Based Medicine for Pain: Evidence, Effects, and Challenges | March 20 | BWI Westin
Join Deondra Asike, MD, at the Workers’ Compensation Symposium for an essential deep dive into medical cannabis. Dr. Asike will break down the latest evidence on safety and effectiveness for chronic pain, the real-world challenges facing cannabis research, and how to cut through the noise to make informed clinical decisions. Register here
🎬Recap: OSE in Action
We’re on the ground, advocating for an equitable industry. Here’s what we’ve been up to!
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DoSEM All Staff Meeting : We attended the Department of Social and Economic Mobility all-staff meeting in Crownsville to discuss departmental priorities and updates.
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Spotlight on Summit Wellness: We recently interviewed Kal Shah about strategy, staffing, and the future of cannabis businesses. Their "hospitality-first" retail and data-driven inventory proves success requires both precision and people.
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March celebrations: We celebrated the birthday of our Program Management Analyst and lead newsletter editor, Alana Hodge, and wished a fond farewell to our Strategic Initiatives and Outreach Support Specialist, Emma Seto.
Check out some photos below and see our full Month in Review on Instagram @marylandosegov
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