As Carroll County leaders continue to debate how the county should spend tax revenue from cannabis sales, the public is invited to a hearing later this month to give their opinions.
The hearing will take place at 9 a.m., Oct. 23 at the Carroll County government offices, 225 N. Center St., in Westminster.
Carroll County received $1.9 million from the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, which distributes money collected by the state from a tax on adult-use cannabis sales.
According to a county news release, money from the CRRF must be used to “support community-based initiatives that benefit low-income communities and those disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis laws.” The state outlines several areas that counties can use the CRRF money for, including housing and homelessness prevention, workforce development, behavioral health crisis response and transportation improvement.
However, it is up to each county to decide which of these areas to allocate the money toward, as long as the funding ultimately supports low-income households.
At the Oct. 2 county commissioners meeting, representatives of the county grants office proposed using $1.35 million of the money to provide grants to community nonprofits.
The county won’t make any decisions about how to use the CRRF money until after the public hearing.
In the past, county commissioners have been split on the issue of cannabis revenue. In May 2024, two of the five commissioners — Joseph Vigliotti of District 1 and Michael Guerin of District 4 — voted that the county should not accept any tax revenue from the sale of cannabis, citing a moral opposition to the drug.
Still, 59% of Carroll County voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2022, and the county is now home to four adult-use dispensaries.
Residents will be able to share their thoughts in person or over the phone during public comment at the Oct. 23 hearing. Public commenters do not have to register in advance.
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