Maryland is setting a new national standard for cannabis equity with the launch of a comprehensive cannabis equity ecosystem, spearheaded by the Office of Social Equity’s (OSE) CEO Accelerator Program, according to an OSE press release. Announced on June 24, 2025, this first-in-the-nation initiative is designed to empower social equity licensees, transforming them into robust businesses that drive job creation and build community wealth across the state.
“Our mission demands more than issuing licenses — it requires advocacy that turns policy into practice,” Audrey Johnson, Executive Director of the OSE said in the press release. “Maryland is building an ecosystem that helps licensees move from opportunity to operation — tackling the real barriers to launching sustainable businesses. This is how we translate equity into jobs, ownership, and long-term prosperity.”
The CEO Accelerator Program is a comprehensive business development program specifically tailored for Maryland’s 191 social equity licensees awarded to date, It features two key partnerships:
- NuProject ‘Cannabis Technical Financial Assistance Program’: Led by Jeannette Ward, a former Coca-Cola executive with a proven track record of directing millions in funding to historically excluded cannabis entrepreneurs, this intensive bootcamp equips participants with investor-ready business plans, financials, and compelling pitch decks. Ward emphasized, “By focusing on financial knowledge and investor readiness, we’re addressing one of the most significant barriers facing new cannabis entrepreneurs. This partnership with the Office of Social Equity creates a critical support system these businesses need to move from license to launch, creating economic opportunities in communities that have historically been excluded.”
- Coppin State University Partnership: The Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship at Coppin State University is offering a curated cannabis-focused business development track. This program provides flexible delivery models, technical assistance, and personalized mentorship. Dr. Ron Williams, Founding Director of the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship, highlighted, “This collaboration represents our commitment to providing comprehensive entrepreneurial education that meets emerging industries where they are. By combining foundational business training with cannabis-specific expertise, we’re helping ensure that Maryland’s cannabis sector reflects the entrepreneurial potential of our communities.”
OSE is calling it a “cannabis equity ecosystem” which they say encompasses a series of strategically sequenced components designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey.
This includes multiple programs. The Trailblazers Series, launched in January 2025, offers exclusive insights from successful minority cannabis entrepreneurs nationwide; Regional Open Houses, started in April 2025, providing in-person convenings across Maryland to build peer and business networks; and the Cannabis Business Masterclass Series, also launched in April 2025, a 28.5-hour curriculum on fundamental business principles. The core of the program, the CEO Accelerator Programs, runs from May to November 2025, offering intensive business development through partnerships with NuProject and Coppin State University. Additionally, the From Seed to Success: A Cannabis Business Vendor Fair was held on June 6, 2025, to connect licensees with vetted service providers, and the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund (CBAF 4), providing milestone-based grants, was available in June 2025. A new Social Equity Partnership Grant Program is also coming soon, designed to foster collaborations between operational and social equity licensees, offering support like training, mentorship, or shared resources.
“This ecosystem approach directly advances Governor Moore’s vision of economic empowerment and entrepreneurship for all Marylanders,” Johnson said. “By building a comprehensive support infrastructure, we’re ensuring that these businesses aren’t just licensed—they’re equipped to become economic engines in communities that have historically been excluded from opportunities in regulated industries.”
Success will be rigorously measured through established benchmarks for each program component, including program completion rates, capital raised, partnerships formed, businesses opening, and business sustainability. The OSE tracks these metrics to ensure accountability and continuous improvement, demonstrating the tangible impact of Maryland’s investment in cannabis equity.
Maryland aims to position itself as a national model for transforming cannabis policy into tangible community prosperity. The Office of Social Equity’s ecosystem will continue to expand throughout 2025, with additional components launching to support licensees through every critical stage, from initial concept to full operational launch.
