Time may be running out for some would-be Md. cannabis companies

BEL AIR — Some of the nearly 20 companies seeking to grow or process medical cannabis in Maryland run the risk of having their licenses rescinded by a state commission.

Patrick Jameson, executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, urged members of the panel to consider extensions of the one-year deadline to receive final approval on a case-by-case basis. Some companies, he said, will have legitimate reasons for seeking an extension.

“We are very cognizant that there are companies eagerly awaiting their chance at licensure, and I urge the commission to move quickly, within the next two weeks or so, to resolve all of these matters,” Jameson said.

Some companies may have legitimate reasons for falling behind. Others, Jameson said, could see their preliminary approvals rescinded thus opening the door for other companies to seek the licenses.

“We do understand that building a manufacturing or processing plant can be a difficult process,” Jameson said. “Localities in the state of Maryland have different processes for and requirements, and it’s no secret that some companies have faced local zoning challenges.”

The commission doesn’t have the authority to intervene in local zoning issues, said Jameson.

Monday’s meeting marked the end of the 365-day period for companies who were awarded pre-approval for a license to show the commission they were ready to begin operations and apply for approval.

The commission gave final approval for growing or processing licenses to nine additional companies as its meeting.

Seven growers and 11 processors have yet to receive that approval.

At least two companies were completing their reviews on Monday and others were expected to happen soon, according to Jameson.

Others were asked to submit detailed letters explaining their situations and the reasons for any extension. Jameson said the letters had not been presented to the commission and could not be released.

State law does not require the commission to rescind the preliminary approvals granted to companies last year.

“The commissioners may be interested in any local zoning issues or other issues that are outside the pre-approved applicants’ control,” Jameson said. “We have requested detailed explanations including accounting of time necessary for completion, anticipated timelines and monies expended to date. However, failure to execute on a business plan or individual financing issues may not be a reasonable reason for an extension.”

The nine companies awarded licenses are:

• Green Leaf  Medical, Frederick County — grower license
• Harvest of Maryland LLC — grower license
• HMS Health, Frederick County — grower license
• Temescal Wellness of Maryland, Baltimore City — grower license
• Curio Wellness, Baltimore County — grower, processor license
• Holistic Industries Inc., Prince George’s County — grower, processor license
• Maryland Compassionate Care and Wellness, Carroll County — grower, processor license
• Blair Wellness LLC, Worcester County — processor

In May, the commission awarded a license to Stevensonville-based ForwardGro.

The approval of licenses this week comes even as a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge is expected to hear arguments that could lead to further delays in the program and possibly rescind licenses already granted.