CHARLES COUNTY, Md. — The legal sale of cannabis is still a new concept to many Marylanders. The Maryland General Assembly approved cannabis reform in 2023, giving residents across the state over a year to adjust to the changes.
Recent research has found that cannabis can be helpful for those suffering from depression. A 2022 study by Faraz Sachedina found that medical cannabis can often improve the condition of individuals suffering from depression and anxiety over long-term use.
Due to increased public support for decriminalization and legalization, many states in the U.S. have begun to legalize the sale of recreational cannabis for adults.
While the legalization of recreational cannabis remains controversial in some Maryland circles, one way it benefits everyone is through a 9% sales tax. This new tax allows each county to receive funding through a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF).
The additional taxes imposed on adult-use cannabis sales will help fund various initiatives to rebuild communities, particularly those impacted by past cannabis laws.
Homelessness and substance abuse are two key issues that may receive more funding through the CRRF in Charles County, though the list of possible uses is expansive.
According to the Charles County website, “Potential uses of this funding includes allocation to mental health and substance abuse programs, education, and housing and homelessness prevention services. This funding cannot be used for law enforcement or to supplement funding that already exists in Charles County’s budget.”
Though the Charles County Department of Health provides some services for mental health and substance use, more resources could be allocated to these issues, allowing new programs to flourish. The fund’s possible uses may also overlap, such as addressing substance abuse in public education.
As noted, there are limits on what the CRRF can fund, excluding law enforcement and similar agencies. These exclusions help ensure that increased funding addresses community-centered issues in Charles County.
Jacob Dyer, acting director of the Fiscal and Administrative Services Department in Charles County, said of the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, “Our goal is to develop a plan on how to best use this new funding to support community-based initiatives that benefit impacted communities in Charles County and aligns with the needs and priorities of our residents.”
Though Charles County has some ideas about how to spend the CRRF, the local government is requesting residents fill out a survey to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.
The survey allows participants to select pre-written answers about a variety of funding possibilities, such as using CRRF money to fund nonprofit agencies in Charles County. It also includes a section where residents can write their own suggestions.
By taxing cannabis sales in Maryland and providing more funding to local communities, a middle ground is offered between those in favor of cannabis legalization and those who oppose it.
Residents can visit the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund webpage to fill out the survey and share their perspectives on how the new fund should be spent. The survey only takes a few minutes and includes a comprehensive selection of questions to help shape the future of Charles County.
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I want some spent to cure IBS… If they can legally get high, my bathroom nightmare should end!
They’ve researched the benefits of pot, but wait until they research the harm. It will become the new tobacco with a 60% marked up tax.
Funny how ‘THEY’ were all able to get rich and build Annapolis on tobacco money, then kill it (and made big money doing that too) and promote a new drug replacement.
Cut every other tax and fee imposed on citizens.