Maryland

Per the Office of the Maryland Attorney General: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown’s Securities Division today announced that it has filed an action against Coinbase Global, Inc. and Coinbase, Inc. (collectively, “Coinbase”), ordering them to cease and desist violating Maryland law in connection with Coinbase’s crypto asset staking offerings. The Securities Division alleges that Coinbase offered and sold unregistered securities in a form that Coinbase calls “staking rewards.”

The Securities Division is alleging that Coinbase is selling securities that do not comply with the Securities Act. Investors who purchase securities may not receive protections when offers fail to comply with Maryland’s requirements, such as full disclosure of the information about the risks associated with the prospective investment and important information about the company, its operations, financial status, and the background and experience of its principals and key personnel.

“With black voter turnout down in the 2022 midterms and 64.1% of black Americans registered to vote compared to 70.9% of white Americans”, WalletHub today released its report on the Best States for Racial Equality in Civic Engagement, with Maryland being ranked “3rd Best State for Civic Racial Equality.”

In order to determine which states have the most racial equality in civic engagement, WalletHub compared 48 states and the District of Columbia across five key metrics. Our data set compares the difference between white and black Americans in areas like the share of single-parent households, the volunteer rate and voter turnout. Below, you can see highlights from the report.

Per the Maryland Department of Commerce: Maryland Commerce has announced that applications are now being accepted for the first round of funding available through the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. The funds will help small businesses and entrepreneurs participate in Maryland’s upcoming adult-use cannabis program.

“The Cannabis Business Assistance Fund will help ensure more equitable footing as our medical cannabis license holders transition to recreational marijuana use in Maryland,” said Governor Wes Moore. “The fund promotes equitable economic growth and will empower our small, minority, and women-owned businesses to have a greater stake in this growing industry.”

Maj. Gen. Birckhead, who was promoted from the rank of brigadier general earlier in the day at a ceremony held at Morgan State University, previously served as the assistant adjutant general-Army since May 2018. She now leads the daily operations of the Maryland Military Department, which includes the Maryland Army National Guard, Maryland Air National Guard and Maryland Defense Force.

“I do not take this charge lightly. I will use the breadth and depth of my experience to do the best for you to ensure readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Birckhead. “I will remember my commitment to not only the Soldiers and Airmen but also the civilians who are a part of the Maryland Military Department.”

Per the Stars of Maryland (6.2.23): Governor Wes Moore today proclaimed ​ June 2, 2023, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Maryland. The proclamation encourages all Marylanders to support community efforts to prevent the tragic effects of gun violence and to honor and value human lives. Protecting the public safety of all Marylanders is among Governor Moore’s highest responsibilities.

“By this time tomorrow, another two Marylanders will have died from gun violence, and here in Maryland, we’ve had enough of these senseless, preventable tragedies,” said Gov. Moore. “This year we passed common-sense legislation that will ensure you can’t bring a gun into a preschool, a hospital, or a government office—that if you have a mental illness and have a history of violent behavior, you cannot get your hands on a gun. This is what we have to do in order to keep our communities safe and I’m committed to seeing this through here in Maryland.”

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that Maryland and 41other states have settled antitrust litigation against the maker of Suboxone, which is a combination of the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone, used to control the effects of opioid addiction. Under the settlement, Indivior, Inc. will pay the plaintiff states $102.5 million. Maryland will receive over $2 million from the settlement. The settlement was filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In 2016, the states filed a complaint against Indivior Inc. alleging that, in order to preserve its monopoly over the brand-name Suboxone, the company used illegal means in violation of the antitrust laws to switch the Suboxone market from tablets to film, while attempting to destroy the market for tablets.