Hemp Farmers Sue Maryland for License ‘Monopoly’

As Maryland’s recreational cannabis industry grows, a group of hemp entrepreneurs are challenging the state and its marijuana regulators in court.

The Maryland Hemp Coalition joined forces with several other hemp growers and retailers to sue Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Cannabis Administration, and the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission, according to media reports.

Nevin Youngan, an attorney representing the hemp industry in the suit, stated that his clients “had been lawfully selling these products for years” and were now being told that they could not do so without first procuring a license—despite there being “nearly insurmountable obstacles” in their way.

During the latest legislative session, lawmakers put into place regulations governing recreational marijuana in Maryland, including limits on the allowable THC concentration in hemp-derived products Products such as Delta-8 could only be sold without a recreational marijuana license as well as details about how to obtain said licenses.

Attempts during the legislative session were made to create a carveout for the hemp industry to allow businesses to continue selling their products. Another amendment floated during session including creating new testing and regulation for hemp products; both plans failed to be included in the final law passed by lawmakers.

Without a recreational marijuana license, hemp-business owners were forced to close their doors on July 1.