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MARYLAND’S RACIAL DISPARITY IN CANNABIS

In 2013, Maryland became the 21st state to legalize the use of medical cannabis, however, what is missing from Maryland’s booming business participation and across the national are people of color.  The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (“MMCC”) is aware the Governor ordered 2018 Disparity Study found “clear and unequivocal evidence that minority participants are disadvantaged in the State’s medical cannabis industry”.

THE NUMERICAL RACIAL DISPARTIES IN MARYLAND

1. In 2016, no African American companies were awarded a pre-approval for a grower’s license.  Only 3 out of 15 grower licenses are held by minority companies or women-owned companies.
2. In 2016, only 3 out 15 pre-approval processing licenses were awarded to minority or women owned company and only one of the 3 minority pre-approval was awarded to African American company.
3. Current there is 1 African American grower out of 16, as a result of HB 2, enacted in 2018. 

RACIAL DISPARITIES IN CANNABIS CRIMINALIZATION

1. Nationally, African Americans are nearly 4x as likely to be arrested
2. The black/white arrest rate disparity has grown since 2001
3. From 2001-2010 Maryland had the 4th highest arrest rate for marijuana possession -409 per 100,000, nearly double the national average
4. Baltimore City had the 5th highest marijuana possession arrest rate at 1,136 per 100,000 residents
5. From 2015-2017, 96 percent of arrestees in Baltimore City were black
6. Arrests rose 15 percent between 2016 and 2017

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: UNITED MINORITY BUSINESSES IN CANNABIS