Medical cannabis: ‘multi-million dollar’ industry across Md.

Worcester County may soon add ‘medical cannabis’ to their list of top economic drivers, if two companies pre-approved to grow and process cannabis gain licenses from the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (“MMCC”).

A list from MMCC released Monday includes 15 growers and processors who are in line to eventually be licensed, if they win final approval after background checks.

Shore Natural Rx has been pre-approved as a grower, while the Blair Wellness Center has gained approval as a processor. Both companies are based in Worcester County.

Merry Mears, director of Worcester County Economic Development, tells 47ABC this move could mean big bucks for the county.

If both companies gain licenses to operate, she explains that could not only mean increased tax revenue for the county budget but also what she calls “spin-off jobs”.

“Some that come to mind immediately are maybe some sales companies,” explains Mears. “They might want to contract out with, do their sales with them or testing facilities. You’re growing a pharmaceutical crop, and you need to get it tested before it’s put out to market.”

According to Mears, medical cannabis is a multi-million dollar business across the state of Maryland.

With potential job opportunities, she says it could off-set Worcester County’s unemployment rates. They generally stand between seven to nine percent during the summer months; however, it’s around 14 percent between November and February.

“They will be employing folks such as medical doctors, pharmacists, security personnel, sales people and because of the industry, these will be higher than average wage paying jobs,” Mears tells 47ABC.

Now that the top growers and processors have been approved, MMCC says “the real work begins for these companies”.

In a prepared statement, MMCC executive director Patrick Jameson says in part “We will implement a rigorous Stage Two background and financial due diligence process for these entities prior to issuing a license.”

Jameson stresses a ‘pre-approval’ is not a license.

The commission chose from a pool of 145 grower applicants and 124 processor applicants.

For a full list of the top 15 growers and processors, click here.