The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) in partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) said applications are open to solicit publicly and privately owned sites to develop the Maryland Cannabis Incubator Project.
The agency has been cleared to work with MEDCO to acquire and construct the nation’s first state-run cannabis incubator facility. This statute requires that the State of Maryland own the incubator facility, and therefore leasing sites would not be permitted under current law.
The incubator will support micro licensees, which include the new subset of licenses issued under the most recent social equity license round, both for micro processors and micro dispensaries. This will not include cannabis growing businesses (micro growers).
MEDCO is asking Maryland County and City partners to help identify private-, county-, municipality-, or State-owned sites that may be converted for use as an incubator space. Ideally, proposed sites should be underutilized commercial and retail properties, such as enclosed malls, big box stores, and warehouse spaces. Priority will be given to sites that are 30,000 square feet or less and have a commercial kitchen and loading dock.
The Maryland National Guard William J. Witte Armory in Catonsville was originally selected as the preferred site for the cannabis incubator. That decision was met with complaints from residents who pointed out that the site is directly across the street from an elementary school and a day care, according to the Baltimore Banner.
