April 8th 2024.
Hope Wiseman, a 31-year-old former investment banker, is facing some pushback in her efforts to expand her cannabis business, Mary & Main, in Prince George's County, Maryland. Despite being in operation for six years and seeing the legalization of recreational cannabis use, Wiseman is still met with resistance from both county lawmakers and residents.
The Washington Post reported that there is a divide among the community about whether new dispensaries should be allowed in prime retail spaces or restricted to industrial zones. This reveals a deeper tension about the impact of cannabis legalization on the community - will it bring positive change or cause harm?
County Council members Krystal Oriadha and Wala Blegay, who have a left-of-center stance, are leading the charge to limit new dispensary locations. Blegay, whose district includes Mary & Main, believes that dispensaries should only be allowed in industrial zones. However, Wiseman, a former Atlanta Falcons cheerleader, disagrees and believes that the businesses, state, and counties should work together to address any concerns. She also pointed out that the pushback is hindering progress and the potential for cannabis to create wealth for Black people, especially since many social equity license applicants are from the county.
Some residents in the affluent, mostly Black suburb have also expressed concerns about the saturation of liquor stores and smoke shops in their neighborhoods, while lacking essential amenities like grocery stores. They are also worried about the possibility of marijuana odor, impaired driving, and the normalization of cannabis use for children who might encounter dispensaries on their way to school. Blegay acknowledges these concerns and believes that there needs to be a balance. She encourages Black business owners to explore other opportunities such as opening restaurants.
Now that recreational cannabis use is legal in Maryland, Wiseman is actively trying to make the industry more accessible for entrepreneurs like herself. She is collaborating with lawmakers to increase loan and grant opportunities and expanding her network of vendors and investors to support aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs. Wiseman previously discussed the barriers Black women face when entering the cannabis industry with BLACK ENTERPRISE, saying that she has had to continuously prove herself and her excellence in order to overcome any obstacles.
In 2018, Wiseman, along with financial backing from her family and co-founders Octavia S. Wiseman and Larry Bryant, launched Mary & Main. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed - in 2021, she gained national recognition from CBS News as the youngest Black woman dispensary owner in the U.S.
Currently, Prince George's County has 10 dispensaries, ranking third in the state. The county, along with neighboring Montgomery County, is expected to welcome nine additional dispensaries in the near future.
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