Read more about the article Top US Health Officials Recommend Moving Cannabis to Lower-Risk Tier
Cannabis / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Top US Health Officials Recommend Moving Cannabis to Lower-Risk Tier

After completing an almost year-long evaluation of cannabis's current status as a Schedule 1 substance, the US Department of Health and Human Services recommended to the Drug Enforcement Administration that cannabis be moved from Schedule I to Schedule III. While the DEA has the final say on such a change, the HHS recommendation is significant. Reclassification is a step short of legalizing the drug entirely. Still, it would mark a critical shift away from cannabis's…

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September 6, 2023
Read more about the article Maryland Cannabis Sales Eclipse $90 Million in August
Cannabis / County News / Taxes and Revenues
Maryland Cannabis Sales Eclipse $90 Million in August

In August, collective adult-use and medical cannabis purchases reached $91.7 million, more than the $87.4 million total for July -- which was more than double the $42.7 million total for June, before the launch of adult-use retail sales, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA). As previously reported on Conduit Street, as of July 1, adult-use cannabis is legal under Maryland law. Nearly all existing medical dispensaries (approximately 100 locations statewide) have converted their licenses and…

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September 5, 2023
Read more about the article Navigating Multiple Priorities: Counties and the Challenge of Limited Resources
Agriculture / County Budgets / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Parks and Recreation / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works
Navigating Multiple Priorities: Counties and the Challenge of Limited Resources

This article is part of MACo’s Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Deep Dives. Local autonomy is a core principle of Maryland’s political system. At its most basic level, local autonomy means empowering county leaders to solve county problems. This empowerment lends counties a unique and, at times, misunderstood perspective. Often, advocates and stakeholders…

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August 31, 2023
Read more about the article #MACoCon Debrief: Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!
Will Tilburg
Cannabis / Health and Human Services / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
#MACoCon Debrief: Adult-Use Cannabis: Taxes, Zoning, and Safety – Oh My!

At the MACo Summer Conference, an expert panel provided insight into Maryland's adult-use cannabis law, including best practices for navigating the fast-changing political, social, and regulatory landscape. After an overwhelming share of Marylanders approved a referendum to legalize adult-use cannabis, the Maryland General Assembly passed sweeping legislation to address cannabis taxes, licensing, oversight, and more. However, many questions remain about the burgeoning industry. Ambiguous restrictions on local zoning, incommensurate revenue sharing, human resources considerations, public…

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August 24, 2023
Read more about the article It’s Tax Credit Awareness Season!
County News / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
It’s Tax Credit Awareness Season!

The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) is mailing 140,000 postcards encouraging low-income homeowners and ​renters to​ apply for property tax credits. The Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) launched its 2023 Tax Credit Awareness Campaign, urging Marylanders to consider whether they may be eligible to receive homeowners’ or renters’ property tax credits. The online tax credit application system is the quickest and easiest way to find more information and submit an…

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August 23, 2023
Read more about the article MD Cannabis Sales Soar to $87.4M During First Month of Adult-Use Market
Cannabis / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
MD Cannabis Sales Soar to $87.4M During First Month of Adult-Use Market

In July, collective adult-use and medical cannabis purchases reached $87.4 million — more than double the $42.7 million total for June, before the launch of adult-use retail sales, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA). As previously reported on Conduit Street, as of July 1, adult-use cannabis is legal under Maryland law. Nearly all existing medical dispensaries (approximately 100 locations statewide) have converted their licenses and can sell medical and adult-use cannabis products to adults…

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August 1, 2023
Read more about the article US Census: Maryland Year-Over-Year Retail Sales Down Four Percent
News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
US Census: Maryland Year-Over-Year Retail Sales Down Four Percent

According to the US Census Bureau, retail sales in Maryland were down 3.8 percent in April 2023 compared to April 2022. Total US retail sales excluding nonstore retailers (not seasonally adjusted) in April 2023 were down -2.8 percent from April 2022. April 2023 Gasoline Stations sales in Maryland decreased by 15.3 percent from the same period in the previous year, which is in line with the national average, a decline of 15.2 percent. Health and…

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July 31, 2023
Read more about the article Sowing Seeds for Solar…Are Taxes An Essential Element?
County News / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues
Sowing Seeds for Solar…Are Taxes An Essential Element?

This article is part of MACo's Deep Dive series, where expert analysts explore and explain the top county issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo's Deep Dives. As Maryland races to meet its goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the state's economy by 2045, there is significant pressure to ramp up clean energy production. But while many policymakers…

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July 21, 2023
Read more about the article After Years of Surpluses, State Budget Deficits Loom Large
County Budgets / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
After Years of Surpluses, State Budget Deficits Loom Large

A report from the Maryland Department of Legislative Services warns of looming structural deficits over the next four years, a stark change from last January, when DLS projected billions in structural surpluses between fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2028. Fiscal 2024 is projected to end with a fund balance of $367 million, and ongoing revenues exceed ongoing spending by $150 million. A $418 million structural deficit is anticipated for fiscal 2025. Structural challenges prevail for the…

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July 18, 2023
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