Press Releases

Baltimore, MD - On October 12th, the Patient Focused Certification (PFC) program will host a Maryland application preparation event for applicants seeking licenses to operate medical cannabis cultivation, processing or dispensary locations in Maryland. This event, will consist of a networking reception followed by an educational workshop with industry experts on the Maryland’s application process and best practices to meet regulatory requirements. The Maryland Cannabis Commission began accepting applications on September 28, 2015.  The commission will issue 15 licenses for cultivation, up to 92 for dispensaries, and an unlimited number for processors.

Maryland has adopted the American Herbal Product Association's (AHPA) Recommendations for Regulators, which require businesses to meet staff training requirements,  and robust product safety protocols; undergo rigorous on-site compliance audits; implement lot and batch tracking; and adhere to all local and state regulatory requirements.  

“PFC is hosting this event to prepare Maryland’s cannabis industry to meet regulatory requirements and strengthen the commitment of industry professionals to provide quality care and safe medicine to patients,” said PFC Director, Kristin Nevedal.

PFC is the nation’s only certification program for the AHPA guidelines and the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia cannabis monograph. As a leader in medical cannabis education since 2002, PFC staff has trained thousands of medical cannabis providers, patients, caregivers and practitioners. The program currently holds the first government-issued educational permit from the District of Columbia to provide the required staff trainings for the District’s legal medical cannabis providers and has been awarded a contract with the State of Maryland to train all compliance inspectors for the State’s medical cannabis program.  

Who:  Dr. Jahan Marcu, Chief Auditor for Patient Focused Certification and Senior Scientist for Americans for Safe Access