Baltimore County Medical Marijuana Company Picked by Maryland Officials

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Baltimore County company that aims to help those suffering from various medical conditions with cannabis cleared an initial hurdle this week.

While medical cannabis is not expected to be available from Maryland dispensaries until next year, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission announced Monday that it has granted license pre-approvals for 15 growers and 15 processors. Among them is Baltimore County-based Curio Wellness.

Curio's CEO Michael Bronfein is a Baltimore businessman who has driven innovation in the healthcare industry, notably as one of the founders of NeighborCare.

"...we are certain that many Marylanders will benefit from the medicinal usage of cannabis," said Bronfein. "And it is our core mission at Curio Wellness to establish the benchmark as a professional medical cannabis provider and educational resource for patients."

Medical researchers say marijuana can be effective for nerve pain relief, preventing nausea for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, fighting muscle spasms and stiffness in multiple sclerosis patients, and in preventing seizures in epileptics and others with seizure disorders, according to Prevention.

"We've been working toward this moment for the past two years and are honored to be selected from among 146 grower applicants and 124 processor applicants," Curio Marketing Director Wendy Bronfein, who is the daughter of Michael Bronfein, said. "We take this business very seriously and we intend to build a company focused on leading the pursuit of wellness."

Already, she said, Curio has been working on its growing its offerings. It entered into an exclusive partnership with Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, which produces cannabis-infused products. Based in Colorado, Dixie sells cannabis-infused chocolate bars, THC drops and mints and other offerings.

For potential growers and processors of medial marijuana, Monday's announcement in Maryland was the first big step toward dispensing the drug for sufferers of epilepsy and other ailments, though it is not the end. The companies chosen for pre-approval are not guaranteed a license, said state officials, since more background and financial checks lie ahead.

Dr. Paul W. Davies, chairman of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission said, “I’m excited that we have a great number of outstanding companies willing to help sick people in Maryland.”

These grower companies were selected:

• Curio Cultivation LLC, Baltimore County
• Doctors Orders Maryland LLC, Dorchester County
• Forward Gro LLC, Anne Arundel County
• Freestate Wellness LLC, Howard County
• Green Leaf Medical LLC, Frederick County
• Grow West MD LLC, Garrett County
• Harvest of Maryland LLC, Washington County
• HMS Health LLC, Frederick County
• Holistic Industries LLC, Prince George’s County
• Kind Therapeutics USA LLC, Washington County
• Maryland Compassionate Care and Wellness LLC, Carroll County
• MaryMed LLC, Dorchester County
• Shore Natural Rx LLC, Worcester County
• SunMed Growers LLC, Cecil County
• Temescal Wellness of MD LLC, Baltimore City

These processors also selected:

• AFS Maryland LLC, Wicomico County
• Blair Wellness Center LLC, Worcester County
• Chesapeake Alternatives LLC, Queen Anne’s County
• Curio Manufacturing LLC, Baltimore County
• Doctors Orders Maryland LLC, Dorchester County
• FGM Processing LLC, Charles County
• Holistic Industries LLC, Prince George’s County
• Kind Therapeutics USA LLC, Washington County
• Maryland Compassionate Care and Wellness LLC, Carroll County
• MaryMed LLC, Dorchester County
• Pharmaculture Corporation, Allegany County
• Pro Green Medical LLC, Frederick County
• Rosebud Organics LLC, Montgomery County
• Seven Points Agro-Therapeutics LLC, Prince George’s County
• Temescal Wellness of MD, Baltimore City

The growers will cultivate a variety of strains ranging in cannabinoid content from a low to high spectrum of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), and the processors will make a variety of cannabis-infused products in oils, pills, capsules, and topical forms such as ointments, salves, and transdermal patches, among other varieties.

—By Patch Editors Deb Belt and Elizabeth Janney.

Image via Shutterstock.