MD’s Cannabis Business Assistance Fund Offers Second Round of Funding, Applications Open August 1

This week, the Maryland Department of Commerce announced that applications will open on August 1 for the second round of funding available through the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. The $40 million in this round of funding will help support social equity licensees who held a stage one pre-approval for a license before October 1, 2022, and are not yet operational by August 1, 2023.

logoThe Cannabis Business Assistance Fund was created as part of legislation in the 2023 General Assembly session and seeks to increase small business and entrepreneur capacity to participate in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis industry.

“The cannabis industry is evolving quickly, and we want to make sure that Maryland helps lead this new chapter of equity and economic growth,” said Governor Wes Moore. “By focusing this round of funding on social equity applicants, we can ensure investments go towards businesses in communities that have been historically overlooked and ultimately provide new opportunities for residents throughout Maryland.”

According to the Maryland Department of Commerce:

As part of the application process, applicants must provide a detailed description of how the funding will be used as well as a timeline for when they plan to become operational. In addition, applicants can choose to receive the funding in a grant paid as a lump sum, or as a no-interest loan with a term of five years with payments starting a year after disbursement and due on a quarterly basis. Up to $5 million is available for each awardee.

The first round of funding focused on providing grants to help existing medical-use licensees with the cost of converting their license to an adult-use license. Future funding rounds will be offered to Historically Black Colleges and Universities for cannabis-related programs, businesses applying for licenses, and business development organizations, including incubators.

Funding will also be available to train and assist small businesses, including minority and women business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to become licensed to participate in the adult-use cannabis industry. Applications will be accepted through September 1, 2023.

For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Commerce Cannabis Business Assistance Fund website.

Previous Conduit Street Coverage:

Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!

Maryland Cannabis Sales Eclipse $10M Over July 4 Weekend

Adult-Use Cannabis: New Guidance for MD Counties

County Public Safety Officials Prepare for Recreational Cannabis Launch This Saturday

MD Comptroller Issues Cannabis Tax Guidance

2023 End of Session Wrap-Up: Cannabis

At the MACo Summer Conference session, “Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!” attendees will learn best practices for navigating the fast-changing political, social, and regulatory landscape of adult-use cannabis.

The 2023 MACo Summer Conference is August 16-19, 2023, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: