(Aug. 18, 2016) The state’s medical marijuana commission decided on Monday the names of the first 15 growers and processors of medical marijuana in the state.
The results were organized by county, though those issued pre-approvals don’t yet need to have a physical presence in the county where they plan to serve.
Shore Natural RX LLC, registered to Erick Bruder with an address in Ocean Pines, was awarded Worcester County’s first pre-approval for a growing operation.
Blair Wellness Center, registered to Matthew Blair with an address in Timonium, was awarded the processor pre-approval for Worcester County.
Neither Blair nor Bruder could be reached for comment.
With the pre-approvals in hand, growers will need to finalize a location for a facility, obtain local zoning and planning approvals, begin construction and start hiring and training staff. A medical marijuana growing operation in Maryland can be located anywhere in the state, so long as proper zoning clearances are gained, according to the commission’s website.
Once those tasks are completed, the state will inspect the facilities to ensure the operation meets the requirements of the program, and matches the processes outlined in the application.
After successful completion of the inspection, the grower can begin operations. No timeline for this process was provided by the commission.
Processors have a financial component in their requirements, but the procedures remain the same for both types of licenses, and facilities can also be located anywhere in the state.
There is no limit to the number of processor licenses granted in the state, and vertical integration between growers, processors and, eventually, dispensaries is possible.
Seven processors are already affiliated with growers, according to the commission’s release.
“Now that the commissioners have made their selections, the real work begins for these companies. We will implement a rigorous Stage Two background and financial due diligence process for these entities before issuing a license,” Patrick Jameson, executive director of the commission, stated in a release.
“A pre-approval is not a license. I truly look forward to facilitating this nascent state-wide industry and working with local, city, and county jurisdictions and with the principals of these organizations.”
According to the release, the growers and processors will partner to produce “… oral forms such as oils, pills, capsules, tinctures; sublingual sprays; inhaled products and topical forms such as ointments, salves, and transdermal patches.”
Edible forms of medicinal cannabis like candies, cookies or cakes are not yet allowed in Maryland.
According to the commission, Maryland received 145 grower applications, 124 processor applications and 811 dispensary license applications.
No timeline for the announcement of dispensary preapprovals have been announced.
The results were organized by county, though those issued pre-approvals don’t yet need to have a physical presence in the county where they plan to serve.
Shore Natural RX LLC, registered to Erick Bruder with an address in Ocean Pines, was awarded Worcester County’s first pre-approval for a growing operation.
Blair Wellness Center, registered to Matthew Blair with an address in Timonium, was awarded the processor pre-approval for Worcester County.
Neither Blair nor Bruder could be reached for comment.
With the pre-approvals in hand, growers will need to finalize a location for a facility, obtain local zoning and planning approvals, begin construction and start hiring and training staff. A medical marijuana growing operation in Maryland can be located anywhere in the state, so long as proper zoning clearances are gained, according to the commission’s website.
Once those tasks are completed, the state will inspect the facilities to ensure the operation meets the requirements of the program, and matches the processes outlined in the application.
After successful completion of the inspection, the grower can begin operations. No timeline for this process was provided by the commission.
Processors have a financial component in their requirements, but the procedures remain the same for both types of licenses, and facilities can also be located anywhere in the state.
There is no limit to the number of processor licenses granted in the state, and vertical integration between growers, processors and, eventually, dispensaries is possible.
Seven processors are already affiliated with growers, according to the commission’s release.
“Now that the commissioners have made their selections, the real work begins for these companies. We will implement a rigorous Stage Two background and financial due diligence process for these entities before issuing a license,” Patrick Jameson, executive director of the commission, stated in a release.
“A pre-approval is not a license. I truly look forward to facilitating this nascent state-wide industry and working with local, city, and county jurisdictions and with the principals of these organizations.”
According to the release, the growers and processors will partner to produce “… oral forms such as oils, pills, capsules, tinctures; sublingual sprays; inhaled products and topical forms such as ointments, salves, and transdermal patches.”
Edible forms of medicinal cannabis like candies, cookies or cakes are not yet allowed in Maryland.
According to the commission, Maryland received 145 grower applications, 124 processor applications and 811 dispensary license applications.
No timeline for the announcement of dispensary preapprovals have been announced.