Grants open for groups via marijuana tax, awardees to be announced this October
State tax revenue from recreational cannabis sales has given Worcester County a $1 million kitty from which to distribute community-based impact grants.
The Worcester County Reinvestment and Repair Grant Program will distribute money that’s been earmarked for low-income communities or to serve disproportionality impacted areas.
Funding comes from the state’s 9% tax on recreational cannabis, which was legalized in 2023. Maryland puts 35% of that tax revenue into an impact fund, from which the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City each get a percentage.
Counties are required to adopt laws outlining specific purposes for which the cannabis tax revenue can be used locally. The county’s Board of Commissioners voted to do so unanimously at its June 17 meeting.
Each county’s fund share is based, generally, on its historical impact of drug enforcement laws. Last year, Worcester County’s share of the fund was 1.22%, according to county spokeswoman Kim Moses. As of June 1, the fund balance was $1,084,216.
In Worcester, grant applicants can be nonprofit organizations, community groups, small businesses, and municipalities. The money can be used for economic development, public health, and community improvement.
Funds may not be spent on law enforcement, or to supplant any county programs that existed before the legalization of recreational cannabis.
Keep ’em stoned and stupid.
It’s for the kids, Lol