Ascend Wellness, Curaleaf, Trulieve and Verano began adult-use cannabis at their Maryland dispensaries on July 1, the official first day of legal adult-use sales in the state. 

Ascend Wellness began recreational cannabis sales at its four licensed dispensaries in Aberdeen, Crofton, Ellicott City, and Laurel. The company acquired these stores on April 28. In addition to rebranding them as Ascend locations, the company made aesthetic and operational improvements, including doubling points of sale.

Ascend will provide medical patients with express access, dedicated parking spots and private consulting rooms. 

"Saturday will be a historic day in Maryland and Ascend is thrilled to participate by launching adult-use sales across our four dispensary locations," said Vince Bozman, regional retail vice president of Ascend Wellness. "We are excited to serve all Maryland's cannabis consumers and further deepen our relationships within each community."

Curaleaf dispensaries in Montgomery Village, Frederick, Columbia and Reisterstown hosted events featuring entertainment, food, swag and prizes.

"Over the past few years it has been incredible to witness the continued expansion of legalization across the East Coast," said Matt Darin, CEO of Curaleaf. "We're proud to be a part of this historic day in Maryland and serve the growing community of cannabis consumers across the region." 

Curaleaf has been serving the Maryland medical market since 2017. Each Curaleaf dispensary will give medical patients priority service with quicker check-ins, team members dedicated to medical patients and access to a separate "medical only" check-out line.

Trulieve, which has locations in Halethorpe, Lutherville and Rockville, offered customer specials including swag giveaways, a recreational starter flight, and clones in a variety of strains for $25 on a first come, first served basis. Local cultivation managers will also be available onsite for customers.

"We are proud to be part of history as the state expands to include adult use," said Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve. "We look forward to commemorating the occasion on Saturday alongside the many Marylanders who voted for the freedom to use cannabis for personal consumption."

Verano welcomed state and local leaders at its Zen Leaf location in Elkridge, and local Chambers of Commerce participated in ceremonial ribbon cuttings at all Zen Leaf stores.

Established in 2017, Verano’s Maryland operations include a 38,000-sq.-foot cultivation and processing facility in Jessup, and Zen Leaf retail locations in Elkridge, Germantown, Pasadena and Towson.

“On behalf of Verano and Zen Leaf, we’re ready and excited to welcome adult-use cannabis consumers in my home state of Maryland to celebrate this momentous occasion and serve our extensive array of high quality products for an entirely new customer base,” said Verano President Darren Weiss. “As a long-standing operator in the state, I’m proud of our talented team members, and excited to witness the positive effects that safe, legal cannabis will provide as a catalyst for social and economic progress here in Maryland and a growing number of states nationwide.”