Maryland Cannabis Administration seeks $35.8 million in FY26 allowance; highlights social equity licensing, state lab and incubator plans

The House Appropriations Committee on (date) heard a fiscal 2026 operating budget briefing for the Maryland Cannabis Administration, during which analysts and agency officials outlined licensing results, revenue trends and planned investments in social equity and testing infrastructure.

Victoria Martinez, budget analyst for the Department of Legislative Services, told the committee that the fiscal 2026 allowance for the Maryland Cannabis Administration increases by $3.6 million, or 11.3 percent, to $35.8 million and is primarily funded from the Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Fund. Martinez said the allowance includes a proposed efficiency that adds $5 million in special funds from that fund to backfill a $5 million withdrawal of general funds for the Social Equity Partnership Grant program in fiscal 2025. That action is contingent on a Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act provision expanding allowable uses of the Cannabis Regulation and Enforcement Fund.

The Department of Legislative Services analysis shows personnel costs account for roughly 41 percent of MCA spending; DLS also identified line items of $5 million for the Social Equity Partnership, $4 million for general administration contracts and $3.5 million for an enforcement contract with the Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Commission (ATCC).

Tabitha Robinson, acting executive director of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, said the agency supports the governor's allowance and DLS's recommendation to concur…