State Regulations Quick Analysis

Cannabis Law & Business can help you open a dispensary in Maryland or obtain a grow license. SB923 is the current medical marijuana bill for the state of Maryland. There are two different types of licenses, Grower’s Licenses and Medical Marijuana Dispensing Center Licenses. The “Centers” would be selected following a competitive, merit-based application process. Maryland medical marijuana will soon be available for patients. 

Maryland medical marijuana dispensaries shall be licensed by the commission through a selection process. Total number of dispensary licenses will be issued no more than two per legislative district to open a dispensary in Maryland. Currently, the regulations are in draft phase development and applications will not be available until finalized. Below is the updated draft applications for review.

Cannabis Law & Business Analysis on Application Requirements to Open a Dispensary in Maryland

  • Comprehensive merit-based application process will require the first initial application, including non-profit information, site locations, proof of capitalization, and other specific Dispensing Center or Growing License business and operations plans.

  • Maryland medical marijuana dispensaries are prohibited from obtaining cannabis from outside the State of Maryland and only from a registered Cultivation Center.

  • Maryland medical marijuana dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet away from schools or day care facilities. Both centers will be limited to industrial zoning, following any municipal by-laws. Rural areas could be acceptable for Cultivation Centers.

  • The organizations shall be geographically dispersed throughout the State. Issued registration certificates and registration cards are non-transferable.

  • Maryland medical marijuana dispensaries and growers are to maintain a complete seed-to-sale inventory control system, to monitor the chain of custody and current whereabouts, in real time, of medical marijuana from the point that it is harvested at the Cultivation Center and/or MIP facility and sold to a Dispensing Center and its patient members.

  • Laboratory testing is required on testing for traces of pesticides/mildew and determining THC/CBD content, overall quality, and potency.

  • Marijuana must be cultivated in an enclosed, locked facility with high security features

  • (MIP) Marijuana-Infused Products are allowed to be dispensed but must be created within the cultivation center.

State financial requirements for a dispensary or grower license in Maryland

Maryland Medical Marijuana Growing License

Application Fee………………………………………….. $6,000 ($2,000 Stage 1, $4,000 Stage 2)

Biennial Licensing Fee…………………. $250,000 (payable in $125,000 annual installments).

Maryland Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licensing

Growers who will also be dispensing will also have to pay the Dispensary Application Fee

Grower Fee …………………………….… $250,000 (payable in $125,000 annual installments)

Dispensary Fee………………………………. $80,000 (payable in $40,000 annual installments)

Grower Agent Fees

Registration Fee………………………………………………………………………………………………$200

Replacement Registration Card….……………………………………………………………………..$100

Dispensary Fees

Initial Application Fee……………………………………..$5,000 ($1,000 Stage 1, $4,000 Stage 2

Biennial Licensing Fee……………………….$80,000 (payable in $40,000 annual installments)

Dispensary Agent Fees

Registration Fee………………………………………….……………………………………………….…..$200

Replacement Registration Card…………………………………………………………………….……$100

Qualifying Patient and Caregiver Fees.

Identification Card………………………………$100 There will be a sliding scale based on need

Replacement Identification Card…………….$50 There will be a sliding scale based on need

Maryland Medical Marijuana Academic Medical Center Licensing

Initial Application Fee..…………………………………………………………………………………..…..$100

Licensing Fee…..…………………………………………………………………………………………….$1,000

Renewal Fee………………………………………………………………………………………………….$1,000

Cannabis Law & Business recommends that $250,000.00 or more in starting capital could be necessary to pay the expenses involved with development of your dispensary business plans, securing site locations, any consulting fees accrued, and paying all state financial requirements for ONE Dispensary Center or Cultivation Center license. Currently only one entity can apply for one license only.

This does not include the amount needed to develop either the Cultivation Center or the Dispensing Center. For Cultivation Centers only, it is imperative to have the necessary operations costs covered for up to 2-4 months during initial cultivation cycle after receiving a cultivation license to operate. Please click here to contact us for more information on grower licenses or how to open a dispensary in Maryland.