The Office of Social Equity, an independent executive agency established by the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023, serves to promote economic opportunity and equity in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market.
Led by an executive director who reports to the Governor, the Office of Social Equity - through programs, outreach, and advocacy - seeks to cultivate an adult-use cannabis market that encourages full participation from communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs in order to positively impact those communities.
The State of Maryland has committed unprecedented resources to promote and encourage equitable access and participation in the adult-use cannabis market. This Office of Social Equity will assist the State in directing these resources to focus on equity and economic growth.
The Office of Social Equity:
- Provides official verification on social equity applicant status;
- Works collaboratively with the Maryland Cannabis Administration to implement free technical assistance for social equity cannabis license applicants;
- Oversees and administers the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund and the Social Equity Partnership Grant Program;
- Provides guidance to the Maryland Cannabis Administration on the implementation of the social equity licensing application rounds and the Department of Commerce on the administration of the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund;
- Identifies and opposes regulations that unnecessarily burden or undermine the legislative intent of the Office, including regulations that impose undue restrictions or financial requirements;
- Provide recommendations to the Maryland Cannabis Administration on regulations related to diversity and social equity applications; and
- Assists businesses with obtaining financing through the Capital Access Program administered by the Department of Commerce.
Agency Leadership
Audrey Johnson, Executive DirectorAudrey Johnson was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve as the inaugural executive director of the Office of Social Equity.
Johnson brings more than a decade of experience leading programs and strategies that promote economic development, equity, and inclusion. Prior to joining the Moore Administration, Johnson served as Senior Director for Economic Innovation and Strategy for the Johns Hopkins University and Health System, where she drove the anchor institution’s key initiatives and programs in the Baltimore region – including impact investments in economic and neighborhood development, health care, and education. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins as Director of Economic Development, she spent 8 years at Kaiser Permanente, holding senior roles in supply chain enterprise systems, procurement, supplier diversity, and economic impact strategy. Johnson also is an active civic leader, serving as president of the Baltimore Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives, a member of the Greater Washington Partnership’s Capital Region Rail Vision Advisory Committee, the D.C. Community Anchor Partnership Network Advisory Board, and Art with a Heart Board of Directors.
Courtney Davis, Deputy DirectorCourtney Davis was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve as deputy director of the Office of Social Equity.
Davis most recently served as Executive Director of Marijuana Matters, a Washington, D.C.-based national advocacy organization focused on advancing economic inclusion, social equity, and restorative justice in cannabis public policy. Before becoming Executive Director, she served as Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations of the organization. Davis also spent more than six years on Capitol Hill, holding various roles in the office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. She is a member of the Junior League of Washington. 