There is much to celebrate about the progress of Maryland’s medical marijuana industry. Once considered taboo, medical cannabis now serves over 100,000 Marylanders managing chronic pain, anxiety and other conditions.
Just as food delivery apps have become essential for SNAP recipients in food deserts, medical cannabis delivery is a lifeline for residents who need their medication brought to their door.
The industry is growing in mainstream acceptance, and the state has taken an evolving approach to healthcare innovation.
Yet, despite these advances, access remains a persistent challenge.
For many patients, traveling to a dispensary is a significant barrier, especially for those whose health conditions limit mobility. Just as food delivery apps have become essential for SNAP recipients in food deserts, medical cannabis delivery is a lifeline for residents who need their medication brought to their door.
The ability to receive medical cannabis at home is not a luxury; it is a necessity for thousands of Marylanders who rely on these treatments to manage serious health conditions.
This critical access is now at risk. Unless Maryland lawmakers act swiftly to codify delivery services into law, the renewal of existing licenses is poised to lapse. This would not only disrupt care for thousands of patients but also undermine local startups like mine, tech companies and working Marylanders who depend on these services for jobs and economic opportunity.
Temporary fixes don’t guarantee access
For years, the state has relied on temporary extensions, a stopgap that fails to provide long-term certainty for patients or businesses. The lack of permanent legislative action leaves the entire ecosystem in limbo, threatening to roll back the progress made in expanding healthcare equity and supporting local entrepreneurship.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, delivery companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash demonstrated their value, keeping vulnerable populations connected to essential resources while limiting exposure to health risks.
Since then, these apps continue to be important assets for residents across the state. Maryland must ensure that these same safeguards remain in place for patients who continue to rely on medical cannabis.
The expiration of delivery licenses would represent a major setback, not just for the businesses involved, but for the broader community that depends on reliable access to medication.
If neighboring DC can do it, so can we
As the legislature considers next session’s priorities, it’s vital to recognize that secure, regulated cannabis delivery can be implemented responsibly, as demonstrated in neighboring jurisdictions like DC.
Expanding access does not compromise safety; it enhances convenience, supports local economic growth and ensures more Marylanders benefit from legal, regulated cannabis. The District of Columbia’s experience shows that expanded delivery access can be managed securely and effectively, creating new opportunities for businesses, workers and patients alike.
Ultimately, this is about more than industry codification. It’s about equity and supporting Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. At Upling, our main customers are medical patients, seniors, veterans and people living in parts of the state where limited access makes delivery essential.
Without permanent legislative action, new technologies risk stalling before they can benefit the state’s most vulnerable citizens. The uncertainty surrounding license renewals and the absence of clear legislative direction jeopardize not only patient care but also the future of Maryland’s growing tech and healthcare sectors.
Legislation to codify delivery
Leaders like Will Jawando and Laurie-Anne Sayles have supported policies such as the Cannabis Reform Act, which created a community reinvestment fund that takes money from cannabis taxes and puts it back into communities impacted before the industry was legal.
However, the work is not finished. It is imperative to update Maryland’s cannabis laws, House Bill 556 and Senate Bill 516, to allow existing cannabis delivery services — currently limited to serving medical patients — to expand their operations. Making an addendum to Senate Bill 215 will ensure equitable access, support small businesses, and align with Maryland’s commitment to a robust and inclusive adult-use cannabis industry.
Until these changes are made, Maryland’s startups and patients remain at a crossroads, facing an inflection point that will determine the long-term success of the industry and the well-being of thousands of residents.
Marylanders deserve modern, equitable access to their medicine. Delivery is not a convenience; it is necessary for those who rely on cannabis to manage chronic conditions.
Protecting and expanding delivery options ensures that state residents maintain access to essential medication, keeps drivers working, and guarantees that the community continues to benefit from a safe, innovative model.
This session, it is imperative that policymakers move beyond temporary fixes and enact lasting solutions. The health and well-being of thousands of Maryland residents depend on it.
