From the Office of Social Equity:

Building an inclusive and resilient cannabis ecosystem requires moving beyond market growth to actively champion representation, community integration, and economic empowerment.

This month, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the trailblazing Hispanic operators and visionaries who bring their culture, resilience, and lived experiences into Maryland’s emerging market. As Juan C. Lopez Berrios, founder of Chronic Corners, shared:

"I bring my roots with me every day, not as a label, but as a reminder of where I came from, what I’ve overcome, and the responsibility I have to build something meaningful for the people around me."

Alongside these systemic efforts, local operators continue to demonstrate what purpose-driven leadership looks like in practice. This month, we celebrate the grand opening of Sol of Potomac in Rockville, Maryland. Bringing together local neighbors, healthcare partners, chemists, and experienced budtenders, their celebration highlighted the power of community-rooted education, local collaboration, and authentic engagement.

Realizing this broader vision also demands staying informed on an ever-changing landscape. In this issue, we dive into global market shifts, critical policy updates, including federal hemp legislation and DEA rescheduling developments, and local equity resources designed to keep your business moving forward.

Together, community leadership, cultural pride, and informed policy ensure that our equity framework remains strong, accountable, and built for lasting impact.

Office of Social Equity | Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility

Showcasing Open Social Equity Businesses

Chronic Corners | Standard Dispensary | Baltimore, Maryland

Founder: Juan C. Lopez Berrios | Opened August 22 2026

After more than 25 years as a designer in the land development industry, Juan C. Lopez Berrios took a leap of faith to pursue his vision of owning a business in the cannabis space. The path wasn't easy; he faced significant hurdles with zoning, construction, financing, and navigating a complex, highly regulated market. 

Beyond the products, Chronic Corners reflects his Hispanic roots, culture, traditions, and the deep sense of hospitality and community that shaped who he is. He wants the community to know that he is here to grow alongside them, give back, and build something everyone can take pride in.

To Juan, social equity means opening doors, creating local jobs, supporting nearby businesses, and ensuring the opportunities generated by this emerging industry reach the surrounding community. His heritage forms the foundation of everything he brings to this space, the resilience to start with very little, the determination to press on through adversity, and the unwavering belief that hard work and consistency speak louder than words.

“I’ve learned that sometimes an accent, a different background, or simply being an outsider can cause people to make assumptions before they know your story, but I’ve never let that define what I can accomplish.”  - Juan C. Lopez Berrios

Discover www.chroniccorners.com 

The Maryland Marketplace | Catonsville | 3 PM - 8PM | September 10 

Experience curated networking, interactive activations, and high-value industry connections in a premier setting at the Maryland Marketplace, hosted by the Maryland Dispensary Association on Thursday, September 10th at Whitehouse Caterers at Overhills Mansion. Register here

Medical Cannabis in Modern Care Webinar | 1PM | September 15

Join healthcare experts in the upcoming webinar, Medical Cannabis in Modern Care: Why Science, Standards, and Clinical Expertise Matter co-hosted by S3 Collective and Leaf411 to explore personalized, patient-centered medical cannabis care, the science of the endocannabinoid system, and how clinical standards can shape future healthcare policy. Register here. 

Black Cannabis Week 2026 | September 20-27 

Black Cannabis Week serves as a national platform dedicated to advancing legacy operators, license holders, and social equity applicants through policy advocacy, entrepreneurship, and cultural restoration. By offering pitch opportunities, expungement resources, and unconference-style panels, the event highlights Black leadership while providing participants with practical tools for economic mobility across the cannabis sector.

Explore the scheduled activations and events:

• Daily Dose Tour: September 20–24 | Boston, MD, NY, NJ, and PA | Register here 
• Pull-Up & Pitch Baltimore: September 21| Baltimore Unity Hall |  Register here

• Cannabis Opportunities Conference | September 25–27 | Philadelphia | Register here 

The Black Canni Convening: Cannabis, Community & Culture: Ancestral Memory | Baltimore Unity Hall | 8:30 AM | October 3 | 

The Black Canni Convening empowers social equity applicants, license holders, and legacy operators by exploring the intersection of cannabis, community, and cultural heritage while providing a space for networking, knowledge exchange, and professional guidance within the modern market. Register here

Cannabis Industry Workforce Development Conference | 10 AM – 2 PM | October 10

Hosted by the Maryland Cannabis Administration at the Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia, MD, this event connects job seekers with licensed cannabis employers through career workshops, networking, and on-site job fair interviews, be sure to register by September 30. Register here

🎬Recap: OSE in Action

Follow us on Instagram at @economic.mobility for site visit content and a full month-in-review recap.

Sol of Potomac Grand Opening

The OSE team attended the grand opening of Sol of Potomac in Rockville, Maryland. Welcomed by live music and vibrant festivities, the team joined the local community, cannabis experts, and family to celebrate. The event was an inspiring showcase of education, culture, and community, perfectly capturing the 'soul' Sol aims to infuse into their dispensary.

Maryland Cannabis Sales Tax Surge to $28.7M in Q2 2026 

Maryland collected nearly $28.7 million in cannabis sales tax revenue during the second quarter of 2026, marking a 9.5% increase over Q1 and a $10 million year-over-year surge. Driven by a tax rate adjustment and steady market growth, Central Maryland led regional collections, with revenues funding local municipalities, public health initiatives, and community reinvestment projects statewide. Learn more

Latina-Owned Brands Reshaping the Cannabis Market

Latina-owned ventures, such as GLOW, Maryland's first women- and minority-owned cannabis brand, are transforming the cannabis industry by infusing cultural identity and sustainability into their purpose-driven products. Despite facing gender barriers, these entrepreneurs are scaling international businesses and reshaping cannabis branding and consumption. Learn more

House Passes Bill to Delay Hemp THC Product Ban

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation delaying a proposed federal ban on consumable hemp-derived THC products, officially sending the measure to the President’s desk. The extension gives lawmakers and industry stakeholders additional time to establish clearer regulatory frameworks for hemp-derived cannabinoids while avoiding an immediate shutdown of the multi-billion-dollar hemp market. Learn more

D.C. Medical Cannabis Market Reaches Record $10.6M

Washington, D.C.'s medical cannabis market hit a record $10.6 million in sales in July, driven by strong growth among cultivation centers and product manufacturers. Program-wide revenues surged 20% year-over-year, bolstered by expanding local patient registrations and over $2 million in sales from out-of-state visitors utilizing temporary self-certification.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.

• Following the legalization of adult-use cannabis 2 years ago, Germany has officially established itself as Europe's largest regulated cannabis market, positioning the country as a major industry leader on the continent. Learn more
• Stricter European manufacturing standards and rising global competition are threatening Canada's lead in the medical cannabis export market. Learn more

• The Mexican Roots of "Marijuana": This widely recognized term surged in popularity in 19th-century Mexico. While its exact origin remains a mystery, two leading theories link it to the names "María Juana" / "Rosa María" or the Nahuatl word mallihuan (meaning "prisoner"). Learn more
• Origins in Spanish Colonial Agriculture: Cannabis use in colonial Mexico developed alongside hemp cultivation beginning in the 1550s. Pedro Cuadrado introduced  large-scale cultivation to supply the Spanish navy, and local workers discovered the plant’s psychoactive properties. As cultivation for personal use grew, the Spanish governor stepped in to restrict production. Learn more 

OSE’s exclusive programming helps licensees navigate, build capacity, and thrive in Maryland’s evolving cannabis industry. Licensees, check your email and the Equity Exchange Slack for registration links, updates, session details, and replays.

MCA Issues Extension Guidance for Conditional Social Equity Licensees

The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) is urging conditional social equity licensees nearing their 24-month expiration mark to request an extension at least 30 days prior to their deadline. Licensees can receive up to two 6-month extensions by submitting proof through the MCA portal that demonstrates consistent "good faith efforts" toward operational startup, such as executed leases, zoning documentation, or letters of intent. For additional information contact licensing.mca@maryland.gov. 

MCA Shares Micro Processor Incubator Survey Results

The Maryland Cannabis Administration recently shared results from a survey of micro processor licensees to help inform planning for a future cannabis incubator facility. Feedback covered anticipated space, equipment, storage, production, and technical assistance needs. By eliminating high capital barriers, the incubator will enable small-scale operators to process and package cannabis products offsite without needing to fund and construct independent facilities. Learn more 

Maryland Launches Search for Operators to Manage New Social Equity Cannabis Incubator 

The Maryland Cannabis Administration and Department of General Services have issued a Request for Information to identify qualified non-profit entities to manage a proposed 30,000-square-foot cannabis incubator facility. Designed to lower barriers to entry for social equity micro-licensees, the facility will offer shared commercial manufacturing kitchens, secure storage, and specialized workforce training to support inclusive growth across the state's cannabis market. Learn more

Virginia Hemp Retailers Face Strict New THC Limits 

Virginia hemp retailers are facing major operational shifts following the elimination of the state's "25-to-1" CBD-to-THC ratio exemption. Under the updated regulations, consumable hemp products are capped at a strict 2 milligrams of total THC per package, forcing businesses to discard substantial inventory and sparking legal challenges from local shop owners. Learn more 

Talbot County Distributes $200,000 in CRRF Grants

Talbot County has allocated $200,000 from Maryland's Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF), to 10 local community projects aimed at addressing social and economic disparities caused by past cannabis enforcement. Administered by the Talbot Family Network, these inaugural grant awards support initiatives ranging from youth workforce development and early childhood education to housing stabilization and literacy programs. Learn more 

DEA Pushes Final Legal Case to Move Cannabis to Schedule III 

In its post-hearing closing brief submitted in mid-August 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) strongly advocated for reclassifying cannabis under Schedule III, arguing its abuse profile aligns with lower-tier controlled substances rather than Schedule I. The agency's legal team actively worked to undermine the opposition, filing arguments to discredit or dismiss the testimony of nearly all opposing witnesses and expert claims against rescheduling. Learn more

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The Office of Social Equity, established under the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023, promotes economic opportunity and equity within Maryland's adult-use cannabis market. 

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