A bigger crop: Why Maryland’s medical pot growers are adding more plants

The air inside SunMed Growers’ sprawling, $10 million marijuana greenhouse was thick with the citrusy aroma of freshly harvested Lemon Skunk.

Outside, heavy machinery cleared land for about 30,000 additional plants.

“This is tripling for medical,” said owner Jake Van Wingerden, a former chairman of the Maryland Wholesale Medical Cannabis Trade Association. “We’re ready to double again if recreational comes along.”

After a rocky start, Maryland’s medical cannabis industry is expanding. Cultivators across the state are dramatically adding capacity — to meet the needs of patients floodingthe market and to potentially service recreational users in the future.

Industry analysts had predicted the market would gross $60 million in sales by its third year. But by the end of its first year, in December, purveyors’ gross sales surpassed $96 million.

Then lawmakers authorized the sale of edible cannabis products.

“Everything is falling into place,” said Kevin Goldberg, co-founder of Green Leaf Medical, a Frederick-based cultivating, processing and dispensary company that sells high-end medical cannabis products.

Three new growers are setting up shop alongside the 15 businesses that secured cultivating licenses three years ago. Regulators are expected to approve another four growing licenses by the end of the month, bringing the total number to 22. [Read more at The Washington Post]