|
The information contained in this newsletter is intended for Maryland Cannabis Business Agents aged 21+ and is not intended for publication or redistribution. This newsletter is provided by the Maryland Cannabis Administration for the purposes of general updates and as a supplemental educational resource. It is not intended to replace or constitute legal or business advice, consultation or service. You should consult an attorney for advice. For compliance concerns, contact your investigator or mca.compliance@maryland.gov. |
|
Since the inaugural edition of the BeCannabisSmart newsletter this summer, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) has issued over 140 new conditional licenses to date to standard and micro growers, processors, and dispensaries across Maryland. MCA has updated our Data Dashboard to include a tab for these conditional licensees. We welcome them all to this quarterly publication that launched in June 2024 as a resource for Maryland's licensed cannabis industry to share information and updates, important dates and milestones, and campaigns and resources to enhance patient, consumer, and worker safety.
If you haven't heard, MCA's director, Will Tilburg, will be stepping down from his position this December. We thank Will for his exceptional leadership in transitioning Maryland's medical cannabis program into a robust adult-use market, and for his oversight in a successful exclusive social equity licensing round over the past year.
The following issue includes information on MCA's new permanent regulations and updated purchase limits, a new cannabis workforce development program in collaboration with the Department of Labor, a guide for dispensaries to share with consumers on tips when visiting a dispensary, and more. We hope you find this information useful and...Be informed. Be responsible. BeCannabisSmart.
|
|
 |
|
Please use the Policy Question Intake Form to submit questions related to MCA regulations, cannabis legislation, issued guidance, or other policy issues. Staff will review submissions and address policy questions every month in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. Find the first monthly FAQ and all other policy guidance on the MCA’s Laws & Regulations page. |
 |
|
The Maryland Cannabis Administration's (MCA) permanent regulations took effect on Monday, July 22, 2024. These regulations, along with guidance documents, may be found on the MCA's Laws & Regulations page. The permanent regulations, including any final action amendments, are additionally updated in COMAR Online 14.17. |
 |
|
In partnership with the Department of Labor's "EARN Maryland" grant program, MCA is providing free Workforce Development Training to over 1,500 individuals interested in retail, processing and cultivation careers across Maryland's fast growing cannabis industry. We are actively seeking licensed cannabis business operators to partner with us on job placement for program participants. If interested, please reach out to MCA’s Resource, Enterprise and Diversity Investment (REDI) division at mca.education@maryland.gov. |
 |
|
Updates to patient registration have been completed in the OneStop application. MCA-issued ID cards are now optional for patients and caregivers. Patients and caregivers who wish to receive a physical ID card may do so for a $25 fee, otherwise it is free to register with MCA. To purchase cannabis, patients/caregivers are required to present their government-issued ID and patient ID number. Dispensary agents must always check the system to verify that (1) the customer is currently registered (2) has a valid provider certification and (3) has not exceeded their monthly allotment. |
|
|
Purchase Limits
Effective June 7, 2024 [COMAR 14.17], adult-use consumers may purchase concentrated cannabis products with a total product weight of 1 gram or less per unit. Up to 12 grams may be purchased in a single transaction.
Reminder: a dispensary may not knowingly dispense more than the personal use amount in a single day to an adult-use customer, which means an amount that does not exceed: 1.5 ounces flower; 12 grams of concentrated cannabis; or 750 mg total THC.
Standard medical patient allotments are provided in the table below. Patients may be certified for higher quantities, always check patient allotment in Metrc.
|
|
|
REMINDERS
Be Informed!
• Pursuant to COMAR 14.17.12.02, please ensure that all doors and other access points between dispensary zones are secured. Do not prop doors open for temporary access and advise staff to properly access or badge into secure areas every time.
• Pursuant to COMAR 14.17.12.04, please ensure that you are only dispensing medical cannabis products to medical patients. Adult use consumers are prohibited from purchasing medical cannabis products, such as high-dose edibles.
• Be aware! As of August 5, 2024, all final cannabis products must be tested. Be sure you are familiar with all required testing for cannabis products. The Maryland Cannabis Administration's Technical Authority for Cannabis Testing defines failure criteria for each area of testing, and indicates the test failures that allow for product remediation.
• All cannabis business agents in Maryland are required to complete annual MCA-approved RVT by January 1, 2025. For more information or to find an MCA-approved RVT, click here.
• Use the Incident Report Form to notify MCA about adverse events or concerns about a cannabis business or product, including unlicensed retailers, incidents at a cannabis business, product packaging, and safety concerns.
|
|
|
This distribution list has been developed from email addresses provided with cannabis agent registration. If you are aware of colleagues who are not receiving this newsletter, please ensure they have provided a valid email address in their OneStop account. If you have feedback on this newsletter you would like to share with MCA or have topics you would like to see in future editions, please email publichealth.mca@maryland.gov
|
|
|
|
|
