About

What is the Maryland Cannabis Industry Association?

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The Maryland Cannabis Industry Association’s (MDCIA) membership will be comprised of the leading businesses and organizations in Maryland’s emerging cannabis industry. As the only local trade association, MDCIA works to defend and advance the industry in the state and local political arenas. The mission of the Maryland Cannabis Industry Association is to promote the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and to work for a favorable social, economic and legal environment for that industry to thrive in Maryland.

The Maryland Cannabis Industry Association was formed to unite the cannabis industry in Maryland and to allow it to speak with one voice at the federal, state and local levels. We strive to educate and act as a resource to lawmakers regarding all areas of the cannabis industry. MDCIA works to defend and advance the industry in the state and local political arenas.

What can MDCIA do?

State Level Advocacy

MDCIA has already established an extensive network amongst state lawmakers and legislative staff. MDCIA is also putting itself in a position to advise our lawmakers as uniquely informed industry experts when it comes to writing regulations and advancing the public dialogue. Those industry experts will come from our membership and the Founding Board Members of our Association, which will helped us establish trust and familiarity between the industry and elected officials.

MDCIA will be a voice in Annapolis. The Maryland General Assembly will continue to look at the law it created and how to effectively update it as necessary. It will be of vital importance to the Industry to have a strong voice advocating on behalf of patients, caregivers, growers, dispensaries, medical and legal professionals and other stakeholders in the emerging medical marijuana industry.

Local Level Advocacy

MDCIA will make calls and write letters to the city or county on your business’s behalf. The more members you have in your area, the more resources we can devote to your area, and the more your local elected officials will hear from the industry in a clear and organized fashion. This is a proven model which has been applied by other industries, and will allow the unique concerns of our industry to develop statewide best practices and provide officials and agencies with positive messages and accurate information regarding our growing industry.

Federal Level Advocacy

Joining the Maryland Cannabis Industry Association (MDCIA) is a way for the industry to unite as one voice in order to protect the rights of the patients, the operators, and the industry as a whole. MDCIA is committed to building a strong and sustainable future for cannabis-based enterprises, as well as becoming a model for the states that follow in our path. In our industry, it is critically important to be politically engaged, especially during this crucial period. MDCIA is a vehicle for your organization to have input into policy at the state level as well as locally.

In addition to amplified political representation, MDCIA membership will offer incomparable networking opportunities and coordinated state and federal lobbying efforts.

NOW is the time to get involved! We are looking for prospective licensees, patients, medical and legal professionals, and anyone interested in building a successful trade association to join our ranks. At this time in our budding field, it’s imperative that we focus on collaborative and concerted political action! By being a part of MDCIA you’ll have first-hand insight into the developing regulatory process that will determine the political climate in which our industry will either flourish or wither.