Comptroller Brooke Lierman visits Eastern Shore to talk tax dollars, economic growth

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman visited the Eastern Shore to talk tax dollars,
and provide some insight on where money from marijuana sales goes.

Since recreational marijuana was legalized back in July, Lierman has been working to make information more accessible to taxpayers.

The purpose of Lierman’s visit, Thursday, was to connect with a local dispensary and business leaders in the industry. She wants to bring all information about cannabis taxes to the forefront, so taxpayers know how their money is being spent.

“I’m always looking for ways to build more transparency into what we’re doing, so we are going to be reporting quarterly, starting in November, on what money is coming into the state from cannabis sales and where that money is going,” Lierman said.

CEO and owner of Sunburst Pharm, Darryl Hill, said in the few short months recreational marijuana has been legal, he has seen the money flow into his business.

He chose to bring Sunburst Pharm to Cambridge to bring more jobs to the community, and so locals would have more access to recreational marijuana.

“I came to Cambridge on purpose, because it is 50% African American and is on the lower part of the income scale,” Hill said. “The jobs, as you keep bringing them, and the opportunities that we can bring, are big.”

Lierman adds with the Maryland Cannabis Administration opening its license applications soon, she hopes more dispensaries will open up on the Eastern Shore.