Social equity licensed dispensaries in Maryland are finally starting to open

More than two years after the first social equity cannabis dispensary licenses were distributed in Maryland, the first handful of businesses are open, after grappling with challenges faced by any wishful entrepreneur and some unique to the cannabis industry.

By: Will Hammann

Outlets: Maryland Matters

Published: July 14, 2026

Words: 1,434

Last Updated: 1 week ago

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When Candice Peters opened Coastal Cure Cannabis in Delmar on June 1, it was the culmination of more than two years of hard work on a decade-old dream.

And that’s a fast turnaround compared to many of her peers.

Of the 83 “social equity” licenses for dispensaries that have been distributed by the state since 2023, only 17 are currently in operation, twice the number that were open at the start of this year as …

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