County council updates cannabis land-use rules; advocates press for CRRF spending

The Prince George’s County Council voted to enact CB65 on Nov. 10, an ordinance to reconcile county cannabis uses with authority under state law, revise use-specific standards and set parking requirements for permitted cannabis uses.

At the public hearing Taylor Frazier urged councilmembers to identify uses for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) created under the state Cannabis Reform Act and suggested funding mental-health and community programs and exploring on-site consumption facilities. "We are entitled to more of that fund than other counties in the state," Frazier said, urging the county to plan how to spend cannabis tax revenue for restorative and community programs.

Council members expressed appreciation for sponsors’ work and for social-equity licensees in the county; several members noted concerns about siting and oversaturation in particular neighborhoods but supported the ordinance as drafted. The clerk recorded the motion to enact and the measure passed by a recorded vote of 10-0.

Next steps include coordination with county planning and implementation of use-specific standards and parking rules; the county executive’s office had earlier indicated interest in advancing restoration efforts now that administration-level engagement resumed.