Closing out MACo’s Winter Conference, panelists discussed cannabis implementation in Maryland.
Cannabis implementation is set to be one of the biggest topics heading into the 2023 legislative session. With implementation comes a series of still unanswered questions and policy options. As Maryland is set to be one of the first twenty-five states to allow for recreational use, policymakers and stakeholders are still debating what implementation should look like.
At MACo’s Winter Conference expert panelists discussed the what counties can expect from the 2023 implementation debate. One of the biggest issues on county minds is revenue sharing. Will Tilburg, Executive Director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission pointed out that most states have experienced an initial bump in revenue and then a gradual leveling out. Another major concern is equity. Charles Commissioner President Reuben Collins, said counties need to get in front of this issue and ensure any rollout includes a focus on equity. Overall counties find themselves in untested waters, the most similar example of recreational legalization in Maryland may be alcohol which has been legal and regulated for decades.
Speakers:
- Will Tilburg, Executive Director, MMCC
- Chris Trumbauer, Chief Policy Advisor to the County Executive and Budget Officer, Anne Arundel County
- Susan Banks, Director of Economic Development – Dorchester County; MEDA Foundation Board of Directors
Moderator/Speaker: The Honorable Reuben Collins II, Commissioner President, Charles County
More about MACo’s Winter Conference:
