This new process will be initiated immediately by the agencies, who will engage in extensive stakeholder and community engagement and quickly move forward with this project.
Sam Gauntt is the Maryland Matters Editor.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said (D), the state is looking for a new site to host its planned $7-million cannabis incubator project. This follows local opposition against the choice of William J. Witte Armory, the Maryland National Guard facility in Catonsville.
Moore, in a statement released Wednesday, said after reviewing the project that the state would “explore” new locations for the incubator. The three agencies leading the project—the Maryland Cannabis Administration, the Department of General Services and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO)—will immediately begin a new search process to find potential sites.
Moore wrote, “I instructed agencies to review the sites and identify those that were not in close proximity to schools or residential communities.” The agencies have begun this process and will engage in extensive stakeholder and community engagement. They are also working quickly to advance the project.
It was announced after some residents in the area opposed the location of the incubator in the past few weeks. The site was located in a residential neighborhood and is close to an elementary school, temple, and daycare facility.
Josh Jackson of Catonsville, Maryland launched an online petition on Change.org in early June. The petition was against the project. It also demanded greater transparency by the state during the whole process. In the petition, the potential issues of the incubator being in the neighborhood are listed, such as security concerns, smells from cannabis stored on the site, and traffic problems.
The petition stated that “whether or not you are in favor of cannabis rights, creating an incubator for cannabis, or investing up to $7,000,000 on a similar project, it is important to inform and consider the input from the local community,” After clear communication and input from the public, there are other options in the state to provide a secure and safe space for businesses growth.
In a report dated December 20, 2023, MEDCO listed the 37 sites in the state that were considered and evaluated as possible incubator locations. The armory did not appear on the list of possible locations.
It aims to become the first ever state-owned marijuana incubator in China. It is expected that up to 110 small businesses will be able use this incubator for storing their products before delivery and processing cannabis using the shared kitchen equipment.
Maryland has seen a boom in the cannabis industry since 2023 when it was legalized for recreational purposes. More than 100 dispensaries are licensed in Maryland, and they have already sold over $480,000,000 worth of cannabis products this year.
Maryland Matters was the first to publish this story.