1. Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
November 9, 2018

2. The Application Process

3. 2015: By the Numbers Medical Cannabis Growers Available licenses: 15
September 15, 2015
Regulations Issued
September 28, 2015
Application period opens
November 6, 2015
Application period closes
2015: By the Numbers
Medical Cannabis Growers
Available licenses: 15
Applications: 146
Medical Cannabis Processors
Processor Application: 124
Medical Cannabis Dispensaries
Available licenses: 109 (102 awarded)
Applications: 811

4. What to expect in 2019?

5. Application period closes
Application Timeline
December 2018
Draft application
February 2019
Final application
April 2019
Application period closes
What is available?
4 Grower Licenses
10 Processor Licenses
The Draft Application
30 day period for public questions and comments
The Final Application
60 day period (double the 2015 length)

6. The Application
Application criteria established in COMAR (growers) and (processors)
100 points allocated across 6 categories
Operational factors (20% or 20 points)
Safety and Security factors (20% or 20 points)
Commercial horticultural/agricultural factors OR commercial laboratory, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and consumer product production factors (15% or 15 points)
Production control factors (15% or 15 points)
Business and economic factors (15% or 15 points)
Additional factors (15% or 15 points)

7. Additional Factors: Diversity Provisions
3 diversity-related proposals – 5 points each – 15 total points
Diversity plan (5 points)
Detail ownership and workforce diversity
Strategies for diversifying the business and diversity goals
Diversity outreach plan
Applicants must demonstrate substantial adherence to diversity plan and goals in order to receive final licensure

8. Diversity Provisions Economically Disadvantaged Areas (5 points)
Owners, employees and contractors who live in economically disadvantaged zip codes, as determined by the Commission
Based on median income, unemployment rate, poverty rate, health uninsurance rate, SNAP assistance rate
List of qualifying zip codes to be posted on MMCC website
Disadvantaged Equity Applicants (5 points)
At least 51 percent of ownership (may be more than one person) is a member of the following minority groups: Black or African American, American Indian/Native American, Asian, Hispanic, and women, AND
Has a personal net worth that does not exceed $1.7 million (excluding retirement)
Note: “Good faith” waiver available for applicants who are not eligible

9. Recipe for Success
Detail/Length – pages outlining business plan, security, capitalization, construction, employee training, etc.
Broad expertise – demonstrated training and experience in relevant areas
Agriculture/Horticulture or Commercial Laboratory/Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Business
Safety/Security
Medical/Scientific
Cannabis

10. Recipe for Success Land/Facility Adequate Capitalization
Identify land/facility
Demonstrate preliminary approval from local government
Adequate Capitalization
Successful applicants demonstrated sufficient capital to construct and operate multi-million dollar venture
Schedule I status restricts traditional lending options
Standard Operating Procedures
What will you grow or process? (i.e. quantity, types/strains)
How will grow or process? (i.e. indoor/outdoor, nutrient and pest management plan, seed-to-sale overview of SOPs)

11. Common Problems Redact identifying information Submission format
Certify adequate capitalization and provide documentation
Follow COMAR and
Not asking questions

12. Additional Information
MMCC.Maryland.Gov and mmcc.maryland.gov/Pages/License-Application.aspx
Sign up for list
“Licensing Application Process” Workshops in early 2019
Cannabis business and license training workshops

13. Any Questions? Applications.mmcc@Maryland.gov
Note: The information presented here are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.