Protect Hollywood, MD: Oppose the Proposed Cannabis Grow Facility

Protect Hollywood, MD: Oppose the Proposed Cannabis Grow Facility

Recent signers:
Krystle Rossignol and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

To:
St. Mary’s County Commissioners
St. Mary’s County Planning & Zoning Department
Maryland Cannabis Administration

 
Petition Statement
We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and community members of Hollywood, Maryland & St. Mary's County, respectfully oppose the approval, permitting, or siting of a proposed cannabis cultivation facility in our community.

While cannabis cultivation may be legal in the State of Maryland, local governments are responsible for ensuring appropriate land use, zoning compatibility, and protection of community health and quality of life. Based on the project’s proposed location, scale, and intensity—as shown in the applicant’s submitted concept site plan—we believe this facility is not appropriate for Hollywood and should not be approved at this site.

 
Why We Are Opposed
1. Incompatible with a Residential & Rural Community
Hollywood is a residential and rural area. The proposed facility represents an industrial-scale operation that conflicts with the character of our community.

2. Anticipated Odor Impacts
Cannabis cultivation is widely known to produce strong odors that can travel beyond property boundaries. Odor mitigation systems are mechanical and cannot be guaranteed long-term.

3. Health & Sensory Concerns
Persistent odors and industrial activity may negatively impact children, elderly residents, and individuals with sensory sensitivities, respiratory conditions, or neurological conditions.

4. Traffic, Noise & Infrastructure Strain
Commercial grow operations increase truck traffic, noise, and wear on local roads not designed for industrial use.

5. Security Lighting & Visual Impacts
Cannabis facilities require 24-hour security, fencing, and lighting, introducing permanent light pollution inconsistent with the rural nature of Hollywood.

6. Environmental & Stormwater Concerns
The proposed grading and site alterations raise concerns about runoff, erosion, and downstream impacts to neighboring properties.

7. Property Values & Quality of Life
An industrial cannabis facility may negatively affect nearby property values and residents’ ability to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces.

8. Lack of Early Community Input
Many residents were not adequately informed or consulted early in the approval process.

 
Our Request
We respectfully request that St. Mary’s County and the State of Maryland:

Deny approval of the proposed cannabis cultivation facility at this location
Require a full community and environmental impact review before any further consideration
Hold a public hearing allowing affected residents to formally voice concerns
Require relocation to a properly zoned industrial or agricultural-industrial area, away from residential communities
 
Closing
Once approved, this type of development cannot be easily reversed. We urge decision-makers to act responsibly and protect the health, safety, property values, and quality of life of Hollywood residents by rejecting this proposal in its current form and location.

avatar of the starter
Jim PendarvisPetition Starter
Media inquiries

649

Recent signers:
Krystle Rossignol and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

To:
St. Mary’s County Commissioners
St. Mary’s County Planning & Zoning Department
Maryland Cannabis Administration

 
Petition Statement
We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and community members of Hollywood, Maryland & St. Mary's County, respectfully oppose the approval, permitting, or siting of a proposed cannabis cultivation facility in our community.

While cannabis cultivation may be legal in the State of Maryland, local governments are responsible for ensuring appropriate land use, zoning compatibility, and protection of community health and quality of life. Based on the project’s proposed location, scale, and intensity—as shown in the applicant’s submitted concept site plan—we believe this facility is not appropriate for Hollywood and should not be approved at this site.

 
Why We Are Opposed
1. Incompatible with a Residential & Rural Community
Hollywood is a residential and rural area. The proposed facility represents an industrial-scale operation that conflicts with the character of our community.

2. Anticipated Odor Impacts
Cannabis cultivation is widely known to produce strong odors that can travel beyond property boundaries. Odor mitigation systems are mechanical and cannot be guaranteed long-term.

3. Health & Sensory Concerns
Persistent odors and industrial activity may negatively impact children, elderly residents, and individuals with sensory sensitivities, respiratory conditions, or neurological conditions.

4. Traffic, Noise & Infrastructure Strain
Commercial grow operations increase truck traffic, noise, and wear on local roads not designed for industrial use.

5. Security Lighting & Visual Impacts
Cannabis facilities require 24-hour security, fencing, and lighting, introducing permanent light pollution inconsistent with the rural nature of Hollywood.

6. Environmental & Stormwater Concerns
The proposed grading and site alterations raise concerns about runoff, erosion, and downstream impacts to neighboring properties.

7. Property Values & Quality of Life
An industrial cannabis facility may negatively affect nearby property values and residents’ ability to enjoy their homes and outdoor spaces.

8. Lack of Early Community Input
Many residents were not adequately informed or consulted early in the approval process.

 
Our Request
We respectfully request that St. Mary’s County and the State of Maryland:

Deny approval of the proposed cannabis cultivation facility at this location
Require a full community and environmental impact review before any further consideration
Hold a public hearing allowing affected residents to formally voice concerns
Require relocation to a properly zoned industrial or agricultural-industrial area, away from residential communities
 
Closing
Once approved, this type of development cannot be easily reversed. We urge decision-makers to act responsibly and protect the health, safety, property values, and quality of life of Hollywood residents by rejecting this proposal in its current form and location.

avatar of the starter
Jim PendarvisPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

David A. Weiskopf
David A. Weiskopf
County Administrator
Responded
“Thank you for reaching out and for sharing the petition regarding the proposed cannabis grow facility in Hollywood, Maryland. The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County acknowledge receipt of the petition and understand that this matter is of strong interest to members of our community. While the Commissioners do not make the approval decision on this type of application, we want to ensure residents understand the process and the opportunities for public input. For the project to proceed, the application must undergo review by the Department of Land Use & Growth Management and other agencies. If deemed complete, the applicant must request conditional use approval from the St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals. This requires a public hearing where residents may testify and submit evidence for the record. The Board of Appeals must evaluate the request against specific standards in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, including compatibility with the neighborhood, impacts on public health and safety, traffic, utilities, and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. If conditional use is approved, the applicant must then present a concept site plan to the Planning Commission, which also requires a public hearing and additional findings related to infrastructure, design, and public welfare. These hearings are the formal points where community feedback is considered as part of the decision-making record. We encourage constituents who wish to share their views to participate in these public hearings when they are scheduled. Hearing notices and instructions for providing testimony will be publicly advertised. Information on Public Hearings is posted to our website when available at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/publichearings. If you would like to subscribe to have Public Hearing notices sent directly to your inbox, you may do so at by visiting www.stmaryscountymd.gov/Signup and clicking the Subscribe button next to the Public Hearings category. Residents may also contact the Department of Land Use & Growth Management for procedural information and timelines. Please note your original email has been shared with the Department for their awareness. We appreciate community engagement on local land use matters and thank you for ensuring residents are aware of the formal channels available for feedback. Kind regards, David A. Weiskopf County Administrator St. Mary’s County Government Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.”
Jessica S.B. Andritz
Jessica S.B. Andritz
Director, St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use & Growth Management (Planning/Zoning)
Tabatha Robinson
Tabatha Robinson
Director, Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA)
James R. Guy
James R. Guy
County Commissioners - President

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Petition created on January 21, 2026