During the 2017 MACo Summer Conference panel “The Green Rush? Cannabusiness in Maryland Counties” attendees learned about the growing “cannabusiness” industry, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and what counties need to know moving forward.’

Being a new – and unique – enterprise, many entrepreneurs struggle with how to best leverage this emerging industry…and counties struggle with how to fit these “cannabis-adjacent” businesses into their communities, economies, and local policies.

Shad Ewart, Professor, Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Emerging Markets: Marijuana Legalization, Anne Arundel Community College, began the session by discussing Maryland’s medical cannabis program. Mr. Ewart talked about how the medical cannabis industry continues to advance and legitimize, and how mainstream professionals are increasingly interested in economizing on this opportunity. As part of his presentation, Mr. Ewart described the ancillary businesses within the medical cannabis industry. According to Mr. Ewart,  “the people who profited from the Gold Rush were not the ones mining for gold, but the people who sold them the picks and shovels.”

According to Darren H. Weiss, Esq., Principal, Bethesda Office, Offit Kurman, because the medical cannabis industry is a new – and unique – enterprise, many entrepreneurs struggle with how to best leverage this emerging industry… and counties struggle with how to fit these “cannabis-adjacent” businesses into their communities, economies, and local policies. Mr. Weiss discussed some of the legal challenges associated with medical cannabis in Maryland, explained how growers and dispensaries become licensed to operate in Maryland, and how they will operate in local communities.

Gail Rand, CFO, Patient Advocate, ForwardGro, closed the session by discussing her advocacy efforts for medical cannabis in Maryland. ForwardGro is licensed to grow medical cannabis and has begun operations in Anne Arundel County. Mrs. Rand offered insight into the medical cannabis licensing process from an applicant’s point of view.

The session was moderated by Senator Brian Feldman and was held on Thursday, August 17, 2017.