Grants funded by recreational cannabis revenue support community-based services for low- to moderate-income households
Annapolis, MD (October 9, 2025) – Anne Arundel County today announced recipients of FY26 Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission (CRRC) Grants, a funding initiative that directs cannabis sales tax revenue toward community-based organizations serving low- to moderate-income (LMI) households, particularly those in the ten zip codes that were found to be disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of cannabis.
“For far too long, the same communities that suffered from the War on Drugs were denied the resources to recover from it,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “With these grants, we’re beginning to right that wrong by supporting the organizations on the ground that know their neighbors, see their struggles, and are working every day to build a more equitable Anne Arundel County.”
Over $1.7 million in grants was awarded to 33 organizations across Anne Arundel County. The selected programs address one or more of the CRRC’s strategic priorities:
- Mental health and substance abuse services
- Education, youth enrichment, and after-school programs
- Housing and homelessness prevention
- Workforce development and employment training
“This is more than just funding, it’s about giving hope back to the communities that have carried the weight for far too long,” said Dr. Shawn Ashworth, Chair of the CRRC. “By reinvesting in their strength, we're uplifting local leaders, strengthening families, and building pathways to opportunity. This is what it looks like when equity moves from promise to practice.”
The following organizations received funding:
- Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, Inc.
- The Church At Severn Run
- Arundel House of Hope
- Chase Home, Inc.
- Community Legal Services
- Blessed in Tech Ministries, Inc.
- Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services
- Shelly’s House
- My Life Foundation, Inc.
- Opportunity Ministries, Inc.
- Leading by Feeding
- YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
- Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank & Love Wins Movement
- Uplift Alliance (University of Baltimore)
- OIC of Anne Arundel County
- Rise and Shine
- City of Refuge Baltimore
- Gaudenzia
- Meade High PTSA
- Kingdom Kare Inc.
- Sister In Sync, Inc.
- World Class Grades - Maryland Inc.
- Brothers Giving
- Chase Your Dreams Initiative, Inc.
- Equip to Excel
- New Kingdom Faith Christian Church
- Together WE Rise
- Laila’s Love Initiative
- Ballet Theatre of Maryland
- Chesapeake Arts Center
- Sapphire Rise Inc.
- The Monarch Academy Public Charter School, Inc.
The CRRC was established under Maryland’s 2022 Cannabis Reform Act, which legalized adult-use recreational cannabis and created the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF). The Fund allocates a portion of cannabis sales tax revenue to counties for reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.
The program is administered by Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) in partnership with Anne Arundel County. An application for FY27 grant funding will open early next year.
More information about the CRRC, CRRF, and the application process can be found here.