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The information contained in this newsletter is intended for Maryland Cannabis Business Agents aged 21+. 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. |
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Greetings,
I hope everyone is settling into the warm weather and staying hydrated.
The cannabis market continues to thrive. This year’s 4/20 sales saw 13 percent growth. Historically, 4/20 sales are the highest grossing sales day in each year. May sales were the highest sales month for 2026. And, the cannabis employment market continues to grow.
Last month, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) hosted a Medical Cannabis Rescheduling Townhall where we discussed the final order on medical cannabis rescheduling, provided insight into what we know and answered stakeholder questions. This conversation remains fluid. We encourage stakeholders to share information that may be helpful to the agency as well as fellow licensees. MCA remains committed to data collection, collaboration, and outreach for all our stakeholders as federal guidance becomes available. Please continue to check MCA's website for updates and send all rescheduling questions to rescheduling.mca@maryland.gov. As MCA enters the summer months, we continue to remain engaged in the medical cannabis rescheduling conversation. Click here for the latest information. As shared, the rescheduling transition remains a priority to the MCA. We’ll continue to remain responsive to your inquiries and provide timely, pertinent, and accurate information to stakeholders.
This summer, the MCA is planning a series of stakeholder engagement opportunities. The purpose of the engagements is to gather stakeholder feedback and facilitate discussion on policy matters affecting Maryland's regulated cannabis industry and medical cannabis program. Click here to view the flyer. Additional information is forthcoming.
Now, to the kudos! MCA is proud to announce that its cannabis reference laboratory received accreditation from the International Organization Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), an international standard that delineates the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. ISO/IEC recognition of MCA as an accredited laboratory aligns with industry trends and prepares the cannabis reference laboratory for further federal regulatory changes. Click here to read more. Also, I would like to recognize the two-year anniversary of the BeCannabisSmart newsletter. Thank you to all those who contribute! I hope the information shared is meaningful, informative and helpful as you continue to grow within the cannabis industry.
In this edition, you’ll learn more about the 2026 legislative session, MCA hemp acquisition, the Cannabis Industry Professional Certificate Program and so much more! Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram - @mcadminofficial and X: @mdcannabis for the latest MCA updates and information. As always, read on to … Be informed. Be responsible. BeCannabisSmart.
With gratitude,
Tabatha Robinson
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Stakeholder engagement: MCA is planning a summer 2026 stakeholder engagement series for licensees, patients, and other subject matter experts regarding policy issues and various implementation efforts. The first, a webinar on Medical and Therapeutic Claims, will take place on July 8th at 3pm. Please register here. Keep an eye out for additional dates and information. Email proposed topics of interest to: mca.policy@maryland.gov.
- On May 20th, MCA hosted a Medical Cannabis Rescheduling Townhall to share in-depth information on the final order on medical cannabis rescheduling. MCA has created a dedicated webpage with FAQs to address this topic on an ongoing basis. MCA has also established a dedicated email address to capture questions you may have on federal rescheduling: rescheduling.mca@maryland.gov.
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The market is growing! Total 4/20 sales increased 13% from $4.88M in 2025 to $5.51M in 2026. Flower and concentrates had the highest sales by product category.
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- On May 15, 2026, MCA submitted proposed amendments to COMAR 14.17.01, .05, .10, .12, .13, .18, and .22 to Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR). MCA anticipates the proposed amendments will print in the Maryland Register for a 30-day public comment period on June 26, 2026. Proposed amendments address:
- Defining medical and therapeutic claims;
- Allowing conditional licensees to request up to two 6-month extensions in specified situations (for a total conditional license period of up to 36 months);
- Establishing minimum standards for licensed growers;
- Codifying grower corrective and preventive action (CAPA) requirements;
- Requiring micro-dispensaries to distribute health and safety educational materials with each sale;
- Adding sublingual pouches as a new product category with associated product, packaging, and labeling requirements;
- Removing the existing “plain” packaging requirement; and
- Establishing discovery procedures under COMAR 14.17.22.09.
See MCA’s Laws and Regulations for more information on regulatory updates and license-specific guidance.
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Conditional Licensees: The MCA continues to prioritize engagement with conditional licensees, including the following recent initiatives:
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Pathway to Licensure Guidance Updates: MCA issued guidance informed by stakeholder engagement efforts.
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Micro-Dispensary Outreach: MCA held meetings this spring with micro-dispensary licensees to address issues such as tax and payment processing.
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Zoning: MCA is continuing efforts focused on addressing zoning considerations with several counties.
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2026 Legislative Session: On May 12th, Governor Wes Moore signed into law House Bill 622, which:
- Increases the allowable number of micro-dispensary agents from 10 to 20 employees.
- Extends expiration for converted standard dispensaries to deliver medical cannabis to patients from June 30, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
- Alters the existing Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) program to Cannabis Agent Training (CAT), customizes training for each license type (e.g., grower, processor, dispensary), and changes agent training from an annual (every year) to a biennial (every two years) requirement.
- Be on the lookout for updates from MCA on implementation of RVT updates!
- In the meantime, all badged agents working in dispensaries, processors, and growers should continue to take existing MCA-approved RVT courses which can be found here.
- Reminder! As of the March 2nd regulatory update, new business agents are required to complete RVT training within 90 days of hire. (NOTE: agents who have taken an MCA-approved RVT course within the past two years are not required to retake RVT if they change industry jobs, i.e., move/transfer to another MCA licensee).
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New pilot project: In response to feedback from medical patients and certifying providers at roundtables held last summer, as well as input from the 2025 Medical Cannabis Patient Survey implemented last fall, MCA released an RFP on June 24th to pilot a new Cannabis Care Line (CCL) program. This helpline aims to supplement existing touchpoints, including Clinical Directors and certifying providers, to address patient questions about medical use, such as side effects and contraindications with other medications. The RFP can be viewed here.
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MCA Hemp Acquisition: The federal government recently signed into law the “Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026.” MCA continues to monitor federal action and identify strategic steps in advance of the November 2026 implementation date:
- MCA has partnered with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Hemp Farming Program to allow MCA licensees uninterrupted access to hemp biomass allowing for product variability and cost effective production within the regulated market.
- MCA will issue clarifying guidance identifying MDA registered hemp farmers as appropriate suppliers of hemp biomass.
- Keep an eye out for information in the coming weeks for an announcement on an upcoming MCA webinar for hemp farmers and MCA licensees regarding the updated utilization of MCA’s Hemp Acquisition Form in response to the federal action. Questions? Please contact mca.labs@maryland.gov.
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Metrc: Thanks to all who participated in the Metrc Spring Virtual Industry User Group held March 12, 2026! Visit our Metrc Partner Page for recorded webinars and bulletins. Recent bulletins include:
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New Licensees: Congratulations to the following dispensaries who received final licensure since our last newsletter was published: Treehouse Dispensary, Crabtree Dispensary, Happi Daze, The Ryvanta, Coastal Cure, and The Reserve, a collaboration with Mana. Two micro-dispensaries also received final licensure: EMBER and Maryland Cannabis Delivery, as well as one standard grower, La Famille Raje LLC. NOTE: additional businesses are close to full licensure. This newsletter is accurate as of dissemination date. |
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Level up this Summer! MCA is excited to announce the first-of-its-kind industry certificate program for cannabis professionals. The Cannabis Industry Professional Certificate Program (CIP) is offered through MCA’s Workforce Development Program at no cost to participants. The program includes seven virtual modules (see here) which highlight different areas of the cannabis industry. Additional information, including eligibility requirements and benefits of training can be found here. Additionally, MCA will offer two in-person courses this summer, Rosin Extraction and Advanced Cultivation. (Completing the online modules is a prerequisite to the in-person training.) Click here or email mca.education@maryland.gov for more information on the in-person training sessions.
 Reminders
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Unlicensed Shops and Products Tipline: MCA previously shared that it has partnered with the ATCC on a new tipline, THCtips.maryland.gov, for reporting product sales from unlicensed shops (e.g., smoke and vape shops). Tips have been rolling in; however, a number of them have been for regulated products and licensed businesses that fall under MCA compliance. Unsure where to report?
✅ATCC: for unlicensed shops and illegal products – THCtips.maryland.gov
✅MCA: for complaints about licensed cannabis businesses and regulated products – Report an Incident
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Required Signage and Educational Materials: Last summer, MCA investigators installed Cannabis Trusted Source signs with QR codes at all dispensary entrances. If you've replaced or painted your door, or if your sign is worn or damaged, please contact your investigator for a free replacement sign. These signs are required, along with the “GUIDE TO ADULT-USE IN MARYLAND” wall poster (for display in the public waiting area) and the Responsible Use 21+ 'pocket guides' (for display at the point-of-sale). These items help differentiate your licensed businesses from unlicensed, illegal shops and ensure customers can access important public health and safety information. Questions? Email publichealth.mca@maryland.gov.
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Dispensary TV Resources Available: Many of you responded to our Spring newsletter with requests for the digital “Cannabis Trusted Source” file for dispensary TV screens. If you haven’t requested the file, it’s still available! Please have your dispensary owner/manager complete this form.
Have a suggestion or topic for the newsletter?
Send it to publichealth.mca@maryland.gov
Archived Newsletters
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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.
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