Recreational Marijuana sales kick off in Maryland

SALISBURY, Md- July first marked the first day of recreational marijuana sales in Maryland.

In Salisbury, customers waited for hours, in lines that stretched across the building at the Apothecarium dispensary.

“They’re definitely going to do some sales numbers, this line’s been like this about all day long,” said customer Josiah Pabs.

The line outside had an almost tailgate feel, complete with merchandise, games, food trucks, and even on-theme arts and crafts, that saw participants filling rolling papers with glitter to give out, and decorating leaf grinders.

Those at the Apothecarium in Salisbury, formerly Peninsula Alternative Health say, it’s the most customers they’ve ever had- in a location they say was already one of their most popular in the state

“This store has been one of the highest volume stores in Maryland, they are actually among the top stores. So we’re expecting to see five to eight times their regular patient based on a daily,” said TerrAscend Vice President of Commercial Operations Chantelle Elsner, adding “I think that they’ve got this program launched more quickly than some of the other surrounding states and some of the other states across the nation.”

Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers says that quick launch could come with problems, but he says the tax revenue of the program will be a big boost for the state.

“The legalization of adult-use cannabis is going to create more jobs and it’s going to create a lot more tax dollars, that about half have been spoken for by the General Assembly,” Chambers said adding “The other half are going to go into the general fund, so the long term implications of a robust adult-use cannabis market are that our state should be economically healthier.”

He tells us he’s glad to see the reaction from customers but he says it’s employers who will now have to adjust.

“The workplace safety issues have still not been resolved, the attorney general says ‘let’s treat it like alcohol,’ I think the Attorney General needs to read up on the testing for alcohol as compared to marijuana,” Chambers said.

He tells us with recreational use here to stay he’s hoping lawmakers can work out those issues moving forward.