Maryland’s Medical Cannabis Industry-Growing Fast

Much as is happening across the rest of the country, the winds of change have cometh here in Maryland, and the medical marijuana—or cannabis—industry has set down roots across the state.

Some two decades since California became the first to approve the plant for its medicinal benefits—cannabis compounds have been shown to increase appetite in cancer patients, provide relief to chronic pain sufferers, and reduce seizures for those with epilepsy, to name a few—there are now 33 states (plus Washington, D.C.) that have followed suit. But here in Maryland, it has been a long, strange trip.

After a rocky start, Maryland’s medical cannabis industry is expanding. Cultivators across the state are dramatically adding capacity - to meet the needs of patients flooding the market and to potentially service recreational users in the future.

Industry analysts had predicted the market would gross $60 million in sales by its third year. But by the end of its first year, in December, purveyors' gross sales surpassed $96 million.

Then lawmakers authorized the sale of edible cannabis products.

Of course, even today, complications abound: marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the federal government, the local industry is making up for its initial dearth of diversity, and the program is looking for areas of expansion (we’re waiting on you, edibles). But the demand is undeniably there, with anywhere between 100 and 500 new patients now applying for medical marijuana cards each day, and more than 30 new dispensaries and up to 20 growers and processors being added later this year.

Meanwhile, another 10 states, plus D.C., have made marijuana legal for recreational use, and here in Maryland, polls show that the majority of residents support such local measures. The General Assembly is even studying what legalization might look like in the state, though, for now, it’s still a pipe dream. Meanwhile, patients of all ilks can rejoice as medical cannabis has officially arrived.

Officially, the cannabis wholesale industry is neutral on whether Maryland should legalize the drug for adult use. But several individual growers said they'd prefer to wait a few years before it launches, since patient demand is already so high.