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(LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, MD – March 7, 2024) – The Maryland Cannabis Administration today announced that the lottery drawings for social equity applicants will be held on March 14. The MCA may select up to 179 applicants across more than 40 unique lottery pools (see Table 1 below for more information). A total of more than 1,500 applications will be entered into the lottery pools and eligible for selection.
“The Cannabis Administration is pleased to announce the lottery date and proceed to the next stage in the social equity licensing process,” said Maryland Cannabis Administration Director Will Tilburg. “We know businesses are excited to join this growing industry and wish all the qualified social equity applicants good luck in the drawings.”
The lottery drawings will be live streamed on the MCA’s website – cannabis.maryland.gov – with selected application numbers being announced at the time of each lottery draw. The MCA will also post the list of selected numbers after the lottery. Selected applicants will receive additional communications by the MCA following the drawing event.
Application Breakdown
A total of 1,514 applications were determined to meet the minimum requirements for licensing and will be entered into the lottery. Of these, 873 were for standard and micro dispensaries, 449 were for standard and micro growers, and 192 were for standard and micro processors. Montgomery County (89), Prince George’s County (87), Baltimore County (78), Baltimore City (64) and Anne Arundel County (64) are the jurisdictions with the largest number of applicants who met the minimum requirements for licensing.
A total of 1,269 passing applications, or 84% of all passing applications, self-reported that they were minority- and women-owned businesses. Of these, a total of 752 passing applications self-reported they were African American or black-owned businesses, 248 self-reported they were Asian-owned businesses, and 43 self-reported they were Hispanic or Latino-owned businesses.
Next Steps
Following the lottery, and prior to the award of any conditional licenses, the MCA will conduct an investigation to verify material aspects of each selected applicant. As part of the review process the Administration will verify any claims regarding social equity ownership and control made in the application. Selected Applicants will receive additional information on this review process in the days following the lottery drawings.
Lottery Information
Date: Thursday, March 14
Time: 9:30 AM ET
Location: Livestream available at cannabis.maryland.gov
For more information, please visit cannabis.maryland.gov.
Table 1. Number of Available Awards and Eligible Applications, by Lottery Pool
