ANNAPOLIS, MD (AP) — A measure passed by the Maryland Senate on Wednesday aims to create opportunities for minority business owners to become licensed medical marijuana growers and processors.
The measure was approved 42-3. The House and Senate still have to reconcile some differences in the legislation before the session ends at midnight Monday to send the bill to Gov. Larry Hogan.
RELATED: Maryland Senators Debate Changes to Medical Cannabis Reform Bill That Would Expand Licenses
The measure passed by the Senate would increase the number of licenses for medical marijuana growers from 15 to as many as 22. No black-owned companies in Maryland currently have grower licenses. About a third of the state's population is black.
Two of the grower's licenses would go to companies that previously lost their spots in the licensing process because of efforts to promote geographic diversity among the licensees. The measure also would increase the number of allowable marijuana processors from 15 to 30.
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