The Maryland Office of Social Equity (OSE) will conduct the “From Seed to Success” Cannabis Business Vendor Fair on June 6, 2025. This event aims to connect the state’s growing cannabis industry with established business sectors, promoting economic opportunities while focusing on social equity.
The fair will feature Maryland’s 191 Social Equity Cannabis Licensees, offering them a platform to engage with local vendors and service providers. According to Audrey Johnson, Executive Director of the OSE, these licensees are not merely new businesses; they reflect Maryland’s effort to address historical inequities and stimulate economic growth.
This vendor fair, taking place at the Marriott BWI from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, is designed to support licensees during the 18-month period from obtaining their license to entering the market. Attendees will have access to vital services, including construction, legal support, accounting, security, technology solutions, real estate services, and waste management.
A special section called “Government Row” will provide direct access to representatives from various state agencies. Participants will be able to interact with officials from the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT), the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission (ATCC), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Office of Minority Business Enterprise (OMBE), the Department of Commerce, and the Office of the Comptroller.
Paul J. Wiedefeld, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, noted the importance of adapting successful business connection models to the cannabis sector. He stated, “By creating direct pathways between social equity licensees and qualified service providers, we’re building an inclusive economy.”
This vendor fair is part of the OSE’s broader economic strategy, which includes the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF). The CRRF has already allocated over $80 million to Maryland communities historically affected by cannabis prohibition, reinforcing the state’s commitment to economic justice.
The “From Seed to Success” event aims to strengthen business opportunities across the entire cannabis ecosystem, ensuring that both licensees and Maryland vendors can thrive. Businesses interested in participating must submit their interest by May 30 via the OSE 2025 Vendor Fair Interest Form.
The Office of Social Equity focuses on promoting diverse participation in Maryland’s cannabis market, providing crucial resources and support for social equity applicants and licensees, while addressing the long-term effects of past cannabis prohibition through targeted programming, technical assistance, and community involvement.
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