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HARFORD COUNTY — Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly expressed his opposition to a bill that would allow liquor stores and cannabis dispensaries to open in zones intended for residential neighborhoods.
Cassilly shared a letter with county councilmembers Monday to oppose Bill 24-037 which was introduced on November 12.
Under the proposed legislation, liquor stores and recreational cannabis dispensaries could open in 232 parcels of land – labeled as B1 Zoning Districts – that are designated for neighborhoods that include community centers, daycare centers, libraries and parks.
“Bill 24-037 is County Council Member Aaron Penman’s second attempt to allow liquor stores in residential communities,” Cassilly said in a statement.
According to Cassilly, a previously proposed version of the bill faced opposition and was withdrawn.
The latest version of the bill requires stores to meet certain signage requirements, including that only one freestanding sign will be allowed, and wall signs must be constructed using the material and color of the structure on the site.
“To make matters worse, the State of Maryland has been very clear that recreational cannabis use cannot be treated more restrictively than liquor sales,” Cassilly said in his letter to the council. “This opens the door for cannabis sales to be allowed anywhere liquor stores are permitted.”
Harford County opened its first medical marijuana dispensary in 2018 before recreational use was legalized in the state in 2023.
The council discussed the bill during a public hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and councilmembers will vote on the bill during the next hearing on December 17.
Councilmember Responds
Councilmember Aaron Penman shared a statement Thursday afternoon in which he claimed that Cassilly is not telling the truth about the proposed legislation and does not support small businesses.
“In his latest press release, despite knowing the truth, Cassilly fed the community lies with the hope of fear-mongering,” Penman said in his statement.
According to Penman, Bill 24-037 does not permit marijuana dispensaries in B1 districts since they are already allowed to be there under the Zoning Code as specialty shops.
In his statement, Penman further explains that there cannot be an increase of 232 liquor stores as the number of permitted liquor stores is governed by state law which only allows one liquor store for every 4,000 residents.
“Often, liquor licenses are refused, regardless of the zoning approval,” Penman said.
Penman goes on to say that the signage requirements are preliminary for liquor stores that are seeking special expectations in B1 districts. Applicants for special exceptions must also comply with a zoning code that looks at the impact on public health and safety.
The applications are still subject to review and must be approved by the County Zoning Hearing Examiner, according to Penman.
“Bill 24-037 was designed and introduced to help and support a local business so it can be successful and create tax revenue to support our schools, infrastructure, and public safety,” Penman said.
Recreational Marijuana in Maryland
Recreational marijuana was legalized in Maryland in July 2023, and within the first day, the state saw over $4.5 million in sales.
For years cannabis retailers were only able to sell THC products to medical patients, but after recreational adult use was legalized, stores quickly began expanding in the state.
In 2024, Maryland Governor Wes Moore pardoned more than 175,000 marijuana-related convictions in an attempt, he said, to right past wrongs in the criminal justice system. Baltimore City made up about 25% of the convictions that were pardoned, according to the governor’s office.
The state also launched a workforce development program to help residents with past marijuana convictions land a job in the legal cannabis industry.
In November, the Maryland Department of Health launched a dashboard to track the public health impacts of cannabis use.
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