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Maryland’s Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Rake in Millions in First Weekend of Legal Recreational Use

THE AFRO — Over the course of the entire weekend, Maryland dispensaries earned $10.4 million for adult-use and medical sales, compared to $3.9 million in 2022 when only medical use was permitted. From July 1 to July 7, Maryland dispensaries grossed $20.9 million in medical and adult-use cannabis sales, according to an MCA report.
The post Maryland’s Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Rake in Millions in First Weekend of Legal Recreational Use first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2023

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By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

In 2022, Marylanders voted to pass a referendum on cannabis use for individuals 21 years and older. Recreational use of the drug started on July 1. On that day, state dispensaries racked up more than $3.5 million in adult-use sales, according to a Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) report.

Throughout the entire weekend, Maryland dispensaries earned $10.4 million for adult-use and medical sales, compared to $3.9 million in 2022 when only medical use was permitted. From July 1 to July 7, Maryland dispensaries grossed $20.9 million in medical and adult-use cannabis sales, according to an MCA report.

“Of course, every state that goes from medical to adult-use definitely experiences an increase, and in Maryland, the [industry] pretty much did what was predicted,” said Hope Wiseman, founder and owner of Mary and Main dispensary in Capitol Heights, Md. “We saw about three times the sales that we normally experience, and it’s been pretty consistent since July 1.”

At the age of 25, Wiseman became the youngest Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in the U.S. when she opened Mary and Main as a medical dispensary alongside her mother, Octavia Wiseman, in 2018. The facility operates in her Prince George’s County hometown.

Before adult use was legalized, the state of Maryland provided a pathway for existing medical dispensaries to convert their licenses for dual sales under the Cannabis Reform Act. The facilities had to pay a fee equivalent to eight percent of the previous year’s gross revenue for the conversion.

“Opening weekend, we had lines going around the store. It was pouring down raining, and people got umbrellas out and stood in line,” said Wiseman. “It was really amazing to see.”

Under the Cannabis Reform Act, marijuana users are allowed to purchase up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, including joints and pre-rolls, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of edible cannabis products that do not surpass 750 milligrams of THC, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration.

Because cannabis is illegal under federal law, individuals are not permitted to carry the drug over state lines. Mailing cannabis in or out of the state is also prohibited.

Maryland is also the first state in the nation to exclusively target social equity applicants for dispensary licenses, according to the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Under the Cannabis Reform Act, the state will have specific licensing rounds for applicants from communities that have been disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition and prosecution.

It will also provide grants and no-interest loans to individuals who qualify as social equity applicants. Thirty percent of the tax revenue generated from adult-use sales will be diverted to the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which benefits communities most affected by the war on drugs.

“When the first round of medical licenses came out in 2013, social equity wasn’t even a part of the conversation. This time around, it was at the forefront of the conversation,” said Wiseman. “Potentially, we might be able to have one of the most successful social equity programs to date.”

Since adult use became legal, Maryland law enforcement has altered their policies and procedures and received training to detect cannabis intoxication in drivers.

The Baltimore City Police Department defines a criminal amount of cannabis as more than 2.5 ounces of flower, more than 20 grams of concentrated cannabis or more than 1,250 milligrams of cannabis products containing THC. According to the department, police must try to issue a criminal citation before making any arrests for criminal cannabis possession.

Police are also prohibited from relying on odor to initiate a stop and search of a person or vehicle, according to the department.

“All of our policies are done in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, our Consent Decree Monitoring Team, and our public feedback process,” said Lindsey Eldridge, director of public affairs and community outreach for the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). “Additionally, BPD has five drug recognition experts (DREs), and every sworn member receives a 40-hour training course on controlled dangerous substances.”

In the future, Wiseman said she plans to open a second dispensary with an entrepreneur in Maryland.

“I don’t want to do it alone. I want to grow with my people,” said Wiseman. “I hope to be able to partner with someone that’s looking to get into the space and to offer them security since they will have somebody working with them that’s done it before.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

New cannabis expungement rules address systemic injustice

Federal banking rules make funding Maryland cannabis industry tricky

AI-backed CEED is cultivating a digital ecosystem to help Black entrepreneurs and innovators procure ownership in the cannabis industry

The post Maryland’s adult-use cannabis sales rake in millions in first weekend of legal recreational use appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers .

The post Maryland’s Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Rake in Millions in First Weekend of Legal Recreational Use first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

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The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.