Residents Push Back On Cannabis Facility, Piney Point Plans At Commissioners’ St. Mary’s County Public Forum

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Residents packed a public forum hosted by the St. Mary’s County Commissioners on Jan. 13 in Leonardtown to voice strong opposition to two proposed developments: a cannabis grow facility planned for Hollywood and the redevelopment of the Piney Point Terminal. Speakers overwhelmingly raised concerns about environmental risk, land use compatibility and quality of life.

The Jan. 13 public forum, held in the commissioners’ meeting room in the Chesapeake Building at 41770 Baldridge St., drew dozens of residents, most of whom spoke against one or both proposals. Only a handful of speakers raised unrelated issues during the meeting.

Plans for the proposed cannabis grow facility along the Hollywood industrial corridor are in the early stages of county review. According to county records, the application was filed Dec. 2, 2025, and remains active in the county’s Land Use and Growth Management system. The facility is proposed for land along Route 235, across from the Joy Lane median crossover, near the Center for Life Enrichment.

You can read more about the proposal here: Cannabis Grow Facility Concept Plan Submitted For Location In Hollywood

Residents living nearby said the facility’s proximity to homes, private wells and a center serving adults with developmental disabilities made the location inappropriate, citing potential impacts from odor, traffic, lighting, noise and environmental contamination.

“Our homes should be a source of pride,” one resident said. “Please don’t take that away from us.”

Several speakers pointed to the site’s history as a former Superfund cleanup area, warning that disturbing the land could threaten groundwater and nearby streams. Others referenced experiences in communities with existing cannabis grow facilities, describing persistent odors, industrial noise and light pollution that they said diminished residents’ quality of life.

“This proposal places more than 158,000 square feet of industrial buildings and greenhouses directly adjacent to residential neighborhoods,” said one resident. “Hollywood is not an industrial park. It is a community of families, farms and shared resources.”

Traffic safety along Route 235 was also a recurring concern, with residents warning that additional truck traffic would worsen congestion near an already challenging median crossover and increase risks for new drivers and emergency responders.

Opposition was similarly strong regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Piney Point Terminal, which Offshore Aviation Group has announced plans to convert into a center for unmanned systems development and testing. While some residents welcomed the removal of aging petroleum storage tanks, many expressed alarm over aviation-related elements of the proposal.

You can read more about the development here: Offshore Aviation Announces Bold Redevelopment Of Piney Point Terminal Into Global Hub For Unmanned Technology

Residents cited concerns about environmental cleanup in the Potomac River’s Critical Area, potential impacts to wildlife, and the addition of drone testing, a private airstrip and a seaplane base in a quiet waterfront community.

“We did not move here to be under the flight path of an airport,” said one resident. “The community just simply does not need a seaplane port at Piney Point.”

Others questioned whether sufficient oversight and transparency would be in place during remediation, noting Piney Point’s low elevation and proximity to creeks and wetlands.

Throughout the forum, speakers repeatedly urged commissioners to prioritize long-term planning, environmental protection and compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods over short-term economic development.

The commissioners did not take action on either proposal during the forum, which was intended to gather public input rather than serve as a decision-making meeting. Commission President Randy Guy thanked residents for their comments and said public input would factor into the county’s deliberations. He said questions raised during the forum would be reviewed by county staff and appropriate parties, with follow-up provided to residents who submitted contact information before closing the public hearing.

You can watch the full public forum below.

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