Maryland Medical Cannabis Program at Risk Due to Diversity Issues

Like many states, the evolution of Maryland’s medical cannabis program was the result of hard work and dedication from local advocates. With help from the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC), which was formed in 2013, the organization helps ill patients get access to medical cannabis.

In 2015, the group was renamed the Natalie LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission after a patient who died of kidney cancer back in 2010. LaPrade’s daughter, Baltimore City Delegate and Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, Cheryl D. Glenn, played a big role in creating a medical cannabis program, believing that her mother wouldn’t have suffered as much if she had been able to use medical cannabis. Now, she’s fighting against the MMCC after it approved growing licenses—none of which were awarded to minority business owners.

Recently, the state awarded 30 preliminary licenses to 22 different companies in August, but none of the chosen licensees were minorities. As a result, both Glenn and other members of the Legislative Black Caucus, have a plan to take action to alter that decision. “We will not be accepting crumbs,” stated Glenn at a forum in Annapolis. “Do not think for one minute that anyone is going to move forward without minority participation. It ain’t going to happen.” The forum also brought many other businesses owners of African-American and Latino descent, as well as female applicants, who were not chosen for one of the 30 licenses available, to speak on the matter.

No course of action has been decided as of yet, but the Caucus has intentions of filing an injunction against the MMCC and trying to increase the number of cannabis growing licenses, among other goals. The Caucus also said it will utilize public pressure, rather than going through the state court system, and will stand against any movements for final approval of the already awarded preliminary licenses.

Originally, the state law required racial diversity in chosen applicants, but it was the MMCC that opted for a blind process instead. Since the uproar, two companies that were in the top 15 of growers who applied were taken out of consideration in place of two more diverse companies that didn’t rank as highly. The situation is a bit messy now, and it is unsure how it will be resolved. Until that time, the progress of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Program will likely be delayed.