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CAROLINE COUNTY, MD.- The Maryland Cannabis Administration and Office of Social Equity soon opening applications for recreational dispensaries in historically underserved populations. The idea is to level the playing field, however, two women in Ridgely, sharing that dream, don’t think they’re getting a fair shot. They blame the fee you have to pay even to apply, which is $5,000.
“You’re asking the poorest counties on the Eastern Shore, and in the state of Maryland, to come into this industry,” Lakia Harris-Pierce, an aspiring dispensary owner said.
The application window is November 13th to December 12th, which Lakia Harris-Pierce and Holly Justice say is also an issue. Only a select few applicants will be entered into a lottery to be considered for a license.
Harris-Pierce and Justice worry about fierce competition and a short application window.
“You have processors, growers and dispensaries that are going to apply, and they have to issue these licenses by January 1st, 2024. I cannot fathom or see the MCA getting through all these applications,” Harris-Pierce said.
47abc reached out to the MCA with the duo’s concerns and officials responded, after airtime, saying, “The General Assembly established a date