Maryland Cannabis Social Equity License
Social Equity Applicant Eligibility
Maryland law establishes eligibility criteria for social equity cannabis applicants. An eligible social equity applicant must have at least 55 percent ownership and control held by one or more individuals who meet at least one of the established social equity criteria.
The Office of Social Equity (OSE) collected and evaluated the data used to identify qualifying disproportionately impacted areas, public schools located in disproportionately impacted areas, and qualifying Maryland institutions of higher education.
The first social equity cannabis licensing round opened in 2023 and is now closed. The eligibility criteria and supporting lists developed by OSE for that round remain available for reference.
Eligibility may be established through the qualifying criteria
The law defines “disproportionately impacted area” as a geographic area identified by the Office of Social Equity that had above 150% of the State’s 10-year average for cannabis possession charges.
Has lived in a disproportionately impacted area for at least 5 of the last 10 years immediately preceding the submission of the application.
Using data from the Maryland Judiciary, the Office of Social Equity conducted a 10-year analysis to determine that these zip codes (English | Spanish) meet the statutory definition of a disproportionately impacted area.
Attended a public school in a disproportionately impacted area for at least 5 years.
Using data from the Maryland State Department of Education, the Office of Social Equity conducted an analysis to determine that these public schools (English | Spanish) are located in disproportionately impacted areas in the State.
For at least two years, attended a four-year institution of higher education in the State where at least 40% of the individuals who attended the institution of higher education received a Pell Grant.
Using data from the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Office of Social Equity determined that these 4-year institutions of higher education (English | Spanish) meet the statutory requirements for this criteria.
Licensing and support
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MCA Cannabis Business Licensing
Licensing rounds, application requirements, and lottery results from the Maryland Cannabis Administration. -
MCA laws, regulations, and reports
The cannabis laws and regulations that apply to every Maryland cannabis business, including social equity licensees. -
Social Equity Licensee Resources
Free training, technical assistance, and funding for social equity licensees from OSE. -
Office of Social Equity
What OSE does and how to reach the office.
Contact
Questions about the social equity criteria or OSE programs: call the Office of Social Equity at 1-877-420-8868 or email [email protected].
Questions about license applications, verification, or licensing rounds: contact the Maryland Cannabis Administration.