Two Caroline County women hoping to bring a dispensary to their community

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 of January 1 for the Maryland Cannabis Administration to begin issuing new cannabis business licenses. The Administration will work hard to meet that goal, but will take as much time as necessary to conduct a thorough review of each application. In addition, we opened the social equity applicant verification portal on September 8, to allow potential applicants to confirm their eligibility to apply in advance of the application period. This will also streamline the application review process.”

Harris-Pierce and Justice teamed up to try at a better shot at getting a license. Justice, who is already a business owner, had to really consider if the cannabis industry was the right fit for her.

“I’ve always wanted to get into the cannabis industry, but again, money; money is always a factor that comes into play,” Justice said.

Justice said she was willing to take the risk for her community.

“It’s for our people, you know, and when I say our people, it’s not just black people; it’s the people who don’t have a voice- people who have not been invited to the table,” Justice said.

And Harris-Pierce said this journey means more than just bringing a dispensary to Ridgely.

“Other Black women in my community should be able to see this. Just because we come from an area like this- which is very oppressed- you can own your own identity and have your own business,” Harris-Pierce.