Calvert County officials have launched a survey to gather resident input on how to allocate funds from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, derived from cannabis sales revenue. The initiative targets communities disproportionately affected by past cannabis prohibition, with Prince Frederick and Lusby identified as eligible areas. The survey, open through July 31, 2025, aims to prioritize investments in areas such as jobs, youth programs, mental health and housing.
Survey Launch and Purpose
The Calvert County Department of Community Resources opened the survey on July 1, 2025, inviting residents of Prince Frederick and Lusby to share their views on local priorities. This effort stems from Marylands 2022 voter-approved cannabis legalization, which established the Calvert County CRRF to direct a portion of sales tax revenue toward repairing harms from prohibition. The fund focuses on low-income communities and areas with high historical arrest rates for cannabis-related offenses.
Eligible Communities and Fund Background
Prince Frederick and Lusby qualify for Calvert County CRRF funding based on designations by the Maryland Office of Social Equity. These areas were selected due to their disproportionate impact from past enforcement policies. Statewide, the CRRF receives 35 percent of cannabis sales tax revenue, with distributions supporting community-based initiatives. Marylands cannabis law, effective July 1, 2023, imposes a nine percent tax on adult-use sales, generating millions quarterly for reinvestment.
The Calvert County CRRF will supplement existing programs without replacing them, emphasizing equity and sustainability. Eligible uses include funding for community organizations addressing economic development, health services and social supports. A proposed ordinance outlines the funds administration, including an advisory board and annual reporting to ensure transparency.
Community Priorities and Participation
The survey asks participants to rank priorities like job creation, youth development, mental health resources and affordable housing. Responses will inform a local reinvestment plan, set for public hearing on July 22, 2025. Residents can access the survey through the Calvert County engagement platform.
This is a meaningful opportunity to ensure that the communities most affected by past policies have a voice in how these funds are used, said Jennifer Moreland, director of the Department of Community Resources. We encourage everyone in Prince Frederick and Lusby to take a few minutes to complete the survey and help shape the future of their neighborhoods.
Statewide Context and Impacts
Marylands CRRF, part of the Cannabis Reform Act, aims to address disparities from the war on drugs, particularly in underserved areas. Recent reports show the fund receiving over $3.7 million in the latest quarter, distributed proportionally to counties. In Calvert County, the CRRF represents a step toward equitable resource allocation, building on state efforts to promote social equity in the cannabis industry.
The Calvert County CRRF ordinance prohibits use for law enforcement and requires separate accounting from general funds. An advisory board, comprising staff and stakeholders, will guide priorities, with applications open to eligible organizations once the plan is adopted.
Future Steps and Contact Information
Following the survey close on July 31, 2025, officials will analyze input and present a plan at the public hearing. The Board of County Commissioners will then establish the Calvert County CRRF formally. For questions, contact the Department of Community Resources at 410-535-1600, ext. 8803, or community.resources@CalvertCountyMd.gov.
This initiative underscores Calvert Countys commitment to using cannabis revenue for community uplift, aligning with state goals for repair and reinvestment. Additional details on the proposed ordinance are available in county documents Calvert County CRRF ordinance.
The Calvert County CRRF process invites broad participation to foster a stronger, more equitable future, as emphasized in the countys outreach efforts.
