WALDORF, Md. — Charles County is set to receive 3% of Maryland’s cannabis tax revenue, with officials proposing an $811,000 operating budget for the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) for fiscal year 2026. These funds aim to support local programs in communities that have been most affected by past cannabis laws.
Maryland collects a 9% tax on cannabis sales, and a portion of that money goes back to local governments. The CRRF was created to ensure that tax dollars from cannabis sales benefit neighborhoods the state identified as being impacted by previous cannabis arrests. Charles County’s share of the funds will be used for nonprofit grants and social service programs. The state has identified three ZIP codes—each located in Waldorf—as areas disproportionately impacted by cannabis-related enforcement.
How the Money Will Be Spent
The county expects to receive $480,000 in new cannabis tax revenue, along with an additional $331,000 from existing funds, bringing the total budget to $811,000. Officials plan to distribute the money as follows:
- $411,000 for nonprofit grants – This money will go to the Charles County Charitable Trust, which will award grants to local nonprofit organizations to work in the Waldorf communities.
- $400,000 for senior services – The remaining funds will support programs for older residents in Waldorf, including funding for the Department of Community Services, Aging Division programs in the Waldorf region.
How Cannabis Tax Revenue Helps the Community
Now that recreational cannabis is legal, part of the tax revenue is being reinvested into the communities that were most affected by past cannabis laws. The state has identified three ZIP codes in Waldorf as areas that were hit hardest by cannabis-related enforcement.
Where the Money Can and Cannot Go
These funds can be used for:
- Community programs that support low-income neighborhoods
- Services for people in areas identified as disproportionately impacted by cannabis laws
- Administrative costs related to these programs
These funds cannot be used for:
- Police departments or law enforcement activities
- Replacing money already set aside for existing government programs
The fiscal 2026 budget proposal is still under review and must be approved by county officials. If adopted, the funds will be distributed in the next fiscal year to support these community initiatives.
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