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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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Welcome to the BeCannabisSmart newsletter.
This summer, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) hosted its Summer Session Series, engagements aimed to gather stakeholder feedback and facilitate discussions on policy matters affecting Maryland's regulated cannabis industry and medical cannabis program. The interactive, virtual conversations covered an array of topics and provided licensees with guidance on Medical and Therapeutic Claims and Advertising, detailed the breakdown of the work MCA completed and the bills that passed during the 449th Maryland General Assembly Session with 2026 Legislative Updates, and the recent webinar on the Regulatory Process which offered participants insights on how the MCA develops regulations and the policy lifecycle. In case you missed it, click here to view the Summer Session Series.
This fall, the MCA is hosting its inaugural Cannabis Industry Workforce Development Conference which will feature workshops, networking opportunities, and a job fair. Workforce development participants or alumni can meet potential employers and demonstrate their qualifications to hiring managers and industry professionals.
The MCA continues to track proposed hemp legislation and monitor federal actions regarding the federal rescheduling of medical cannabis. Updates and FAQs regarding rescheduling are available here and questions can be sent to rescheduling.mca@maryland.gov.
Enclosed in this edition, you’ll learn more about the Maryland Cannabis Incubator Facility, hemp acquisition updates, details about the new Cannabis Care Line (CCL), recent Metrc bulletins, a HUGE welcome to the latest licensees, 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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- Throughout the fall, MCA will continue strategic stakeholder engagement for the Cannabis Incubator Initiative (read more here), and briefings with local officials. MCA will also maintain touchpoints with advisory bodies and local jurisdictions to ensure transparency, address zoning inquiries, and foster collaborative policy implementation. MCA successfully launched the Summer Session Series, which included 2026 legislative session updates, medical and therapeutic claims, and an overview of the regulatory process. Recorded webinars and information from this series are available here.
- MCA is working on its fall 2026 regulatory package, which will implement recent legislative updates and regulatory needs. These include establishing a new product category for sublingual pouches, processes for conditional licensees to request extensions, and amending revisions to cannabis agent training, advertising standards, and cultivation practices. Public comment periods are scheduled to open later this month and conclude by the end of the year. When available, MCA posts regulatory updates to its website. Click here to sign up for notifications.
- MCA is preparing to launch a new system that will give designated licensee agents an easier, direct route to communicate with MCA investigators, submit requested documentation, view findings from compliance activities, pay fines, and more. Additional information on this new Evoke platform is coming soon. Questions? Email mca.technology@maryland.gov.
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Inaugural Workforce Development Conference! On October 10, 2026, MCA will host its first Cannabis Industry Workforce Development Conference with cannabis workers, industry stakeholders, and workforce development professionals. This event, held at the Maryland Innovation Center in Columbia, will connect current and future cannabis industry workers with training and employment opportunities meant to strengthen and further their career trajectory in Maryland’s evolving cannabis industry. For more information, click here or email mca.workforcedevelopment@maryland.gov.
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MCA Hemp Acquisition: On September 1, Congress delayed the implementation of the federal hemp bill from November 12 to December 11, 2026. To provide outreach and training to impacted stakeholders regarding the updated utilization of MCA’s Hemp Acquisition Form, MCA will host a webinar for badged agents on September 17 at 3 p.m. Registration for the Hemp Acquisition Webinar can be found here. MCA will continue to monitor federal action and identify strategic steps in advance of the implementation date for any additional federal appropriations language. Questions? Email mca.labs@maryland.gov.
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Helpline pilot launching soon: As previously shared (BeCannabisSmart Newsletter Summer 2026), MCA plans to award a contract this fall and begin implementation of a pilot Cannabis Care Line (CCL). This helpline will supplement existing touchpoints, including Clinical Directors (CDs) and certifying providers, to address patient and caregiver questions about medical use, such as possible side effects and drug-to-drug interactions. To get the word out, MCA is developing materials on the CCL and CD programs for display at dispensaries. Dispensary owners/managers should be on the lookout for more details and ensure they have a registered Clinical Director ready and available to assist their patients. Questions? Email publichealth.mca@maryland.gov.
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Patient survey coming soon: This fall, MCA will launch its fifth annual Maryland Medical Cannabis Patient Survey (MMCPS). The survey examines patient engagement with the medical program and opportunities to enhance patient satisfaction. To our knowledge, this survey is the largest and longest running survey of medical cannabis patients of its kind. Findings from the 2025 survey led to new educational initiatives including the pilot Cannabis Care Line (CCL) and a newly-launched collaborative continuing medical education (CME) training for healthcare providers (Cannabinoids for Chronic Pain). Past reports are available on MCA’s website under “Additional Reports.”
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Metrc Updates: The Fall Industry Webinar for Maryland licensees will be held from 12 - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Licensees can register through Metrc Learn (see Metrc’s Fall 2026 Industry Webinar bulletin for details). Note: Completion of the “New Business Fundamentals” course is required to register. In case you missed these, Metrc has released several recent bulletins to provide tips for licensees, including:
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New Licensees! Congratulations to the following businesses who received final licensure since the last installment of this newsletter was published in June: Dispensaries - Southern Waves, Mint Green Cannabis, SOL of Potomac, One Love Cannabis, Chronic Corners, Green Glow, Rooted, a collaboration with Releaf Shop; Micro Dispensary - Shay Shay Treats Delivery Service; Growers - TrustiGrow and Floriat; Micro Grower - MD Green Fire. NOTE: additional licensees are close to opening! The newsletter is accurate as of dissemination date. |
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 Reminders
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Report Due! Annual Canopy Reports are due by October 1, 2026. Visit MCA’s Reporting Requirements for more information.
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Patient Registration Renewals: Attention dispensary agents! Many six-year patient MCA registrations are set to expire this year. Please make sure your medical cannabis customers know they can renew their MCA registration up to 60 days before their official expiration date AND there is no cost to renew with MCA. In the event a patient’s registration does expire, there is a 60-day grace period immediately following the expiration date. Patients can submit their renewal during this window to maintain their active status. Existing patients should not complete a new application in OneStop to renew their registration. MCA recently updated its website with a new, user-friendly graphic that explains the patient registration and certification processes, and the difference between the two. Questions? Email or call 410.487.8100.
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Replenishment of Materials: Does your dispensary need replacements of the “Guide to Adult Cannabis Use in Maryland” poster, more Responsible Use 21+ “pocket guides”, or a new Cannabis Trusted Source decal for your main entry? We have them! Please contact your MCA investigator or email publichealth.mca@maryland.gov.
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Report an Incident: For complaints about MCA-licensed cannabis businesses and regulated products, please use MCA’s Report an Incident form.
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Unlicensed Shops and Products Tipline: To report illegal THC sales from unlicensed shops (e.g., smoke and vape shops), use the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC) tipline, THCtips.maryland.gov.
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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