Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed a bill last week giving the city power to padlock smoke shops that repeatedly sell unlicensed cannabis. The measure updates the city’s existing padlocking law to explicitly cover illegal cannabis activity.
During the bill signing, Scott said the “bill is not about businesses that are following the law.” He said it is instead “about addressing those that are breaking the law and is based on experience and study.”
Scott also noted during the press conference that “Baltimore is home to legal, regulated, cannabis sales.” He said the bill “updates the city’s existing padlocking law to explicitly include illegal cannabis activity and establishes an independent hearing process.”
Under the law, businesses with two or more qualifying incidents within a two-year period could be padlocked by the city. Qualifying incidents include illegal cannabis sales or concealed storage of a “significant amount” of cannabis, according to Scott.
According to the City Council, Baltimore is home to more than 1,400 licensed tobacco retailers.
Cases under the new law will go to either the state Office of Administrative Hearings or the Environmental Control Board for review. The police commissioner issues the final order under the law.
Judicial review is available for affected parties who wish to challenge an order. The law also sets a timeline for enforcement action.
“This bill also requires follow-through,” Scott said during his remarks. He explained that the commissioner “had to initiate abatement within 15 calendar days after issuing the order.”
The measure gives the city a direct enforcement tool against shops selling cannabis outside Maryland’s licensed market.
The bill is now signed into law following Mayor Scott’s action last week. The city can begin applying the padlocking process to businesses that accumulate qualifying incidents.
Businesses that break the law face potential closure of up to one year once an order is issued. Businesses that follow the law, in the mayor’s framing, are not the target of the measure.
The independent hearing process established by the bill will handle review of individual cases. Affected business owners retain the option of judicial review.
The law’s two-year incident window means enforcement will depend on documented qualifying incidents at each shop. The police commissioner will hold final authority over closure orders.
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