Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel

About

The Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel was established in 2023, with additional duties and membership changes in 2024. The Panel is tasked with studying the implementation of adult-use cannabis in Howard County and making recommendations about how to promote health, public safety, business, and social and racial equity in the adult-use market.

Membership

There are 12 seated voting members on the panel and six nonvoting / ex-officio members. Panel members bring significant experience in cannabis law, science or policy; public health or health care; agriculture; local business; finance; or addiction treatment. The Panel also includes members who have held state licenses to operate cannabis dispensaries, processing facilities, growing facilities, or on-site consumption facilities in the county; members who represent organizations that advocate on behalf of consumers and patients; and members who reside in the 21044 and 21045 zip codes.

Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel Roster (as of 11/20/2025)

Duties & Responsibilities

The Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel is tasked with the following duties:

• Review data and analyze the implementation of adult-use cannabis in Howard County, including the effects on citizens of the County with respect to health, public safety, land use, business, and social and racial equity in the adult-use market;
• Study best practices from other jurisdictions;
• Act as an advocate on behalf of the panel on issues related to adult-use cannabis;
• Undertake activities which will educate and increase public awareness of changes in State law;
• Monitor the development of an equitable and safe adult-use cannabis market;
• Propose actions the County Executive and County Council can take to best guide the adult-use cannabis market;
• Regarding the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund...advise the County Executive and County Council on the use of funds in the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund for the upcoming fiscal year.

Upcoming Adult-Use Cannabis Advisory Panel Meetings

The Adult-use Cannabis Advisory Panel meets quarterly or more frequently.

            November 20, 2025

• Meeting Notice
• Meeting Agenda