Catonsville Armory site scrapped amid local pushback.

Governor Wes Moore this week scrapped plans to locate a first-in-the-nation cannabis incubator at the Catonsville Armory in Baltimore County, directing state agencies to begin a new search for a more suitable site.

The incubator will support social equity micro-licensees — small businesses led by individuals whom the cannabis industry has historically excluded — with technical assistance, programming, and workspace.

The project is a significant component of Maryland’s broader effort to expand access and opportunity in a growing market.

The Catonsville site, located near schools and residential neighborhoods, had drawn strong opposition from residents and businesses alike. Several community members raised concerns about the site’s proximity to youth facilities and the lack of early outreach before the selection.

The governor’s new directive calls on the Maryland Cannabis Administration, the Department of General Services, and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation to identify new locations that are not near schools or residential areas and to initiate outreach immediately.

The governor reaffirmed that Maryland remains committed to an inclusive, data-informed approach that balances equity, economic development, and local input. The Catonsville Armory will now enter the State’s surplus and disposition process.

Policy Responsibilities, Without the Resources

The cannabis industry’s economic potential remains clear. Maryland recorded more than $1.1 billion in cannabis sales during the first year of legalization, reflecting the industry’s rapid growth. Still, local governments continue to see only a small share of the revenue.

Despite local responsibilities for managing zoning, public safety, and health impacts related to cannabis businesses, local governments receive a mere 60 cents for every $100 in cannabis sales — with no authority to levy local cannabis taxes.

Other states, such as New York and Oregon, offer counties a fairer share through excise or sales taxes; however, Maryland’s counties remain strained as they manage these growing responsibilities.

As the State reconsiders where to anchor its signature equity initiative, counties remain focused on ensuring that cannabis-related investments — and revenues — are appropriately aligned with the responsibilities they bear.

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.