Unraveling the Story Behind Cookies Baltimore’s Temporary Closure
The sudden, temporary closure of Cookies Baltimore, a nationally known cannabis dispensary, has surprised many. The situation is more startling considering that this dispensary had just launched less than a week prior.
In the Spotlight: Cookies Baltimore and its Weed Cannon
Famous for its “weed cannon” or smoke thrower, Cookies fell under the microscope of Maryland state cannabis regulators. The regulators decided to revoke the dispensary’s license after noting several violations, including the operation of the infamous weed cannon.
This video shows the violations stated in the Official Article of Suspension…
A Brief History
Cookies Baltimore is located at 35 E. Cross St and operated by the Michigan cannabis company, Noxx. This location was once home to Pure Life Wellness, a locally owned dispensary, until Noxx purchased the license in 2022. Despite attempts to reach them, Cookies, Noxx, and the Maryland Cannabis Administration have not responded for comment.
Early Concerns and Violations
Interestingly, state officials were already apprehensive about Cookies even before its grand opening. On May 26, a day prior to Cookies launching its operations to the public, state officials conducted an unannounced inspection of the dispensary. The inspection revealed several violations of state regulations.
In addition to these, Cookies Baltimore was found to have advertisements on social media, including LinkedIn and Instagram, that were in violation of the Act’s provisions, specifically Alc. Bev. & Cann. § 36-903, in several ways:
a. They contained the likeness of two celebrities; b. They contained cartoons depicting two human likenesses and several local mascots; c. They were potentially attractive to minors, including a cartoon character, a mascot, or any other depiction that is commonly used to market products to minors; d. They used at least three publicly known non-cannabis trademarks; and e. They displayed the use of cannabis by three individuals in the ad.
Furthermore, the Act requires that an advertisement placed on social media or a mobile application must include a notification that an individual must be at least 21 years old to view the content. However, the advertisements from Cookies Baltimore did not contain such a notification.
Cookies Baltimore failed to comply with the state’s request for certain information before its opening. Despite this non-compliance, the dispensary proceeded to open its doors on May 27.
Additional Violations and Current Status
Alongside the issue of the weed cannon, Cookies Baltimore neglected to provide the state with security video footage of the dispensary. The dispensary had also removed a secure door between the service area and the operations area, compounding the list of violations.
As of June 14, the dispensary remains closed. The state has offered Cookies Baltimore the opportunity for a hearing within 30 days of June 2, the day the suspension order was issued. The suspension order doesn’t provide a specific timeframe, but it does mention that the license will remain suspended if a “show cause” hearing isn’t requested.
Cookies: A Major Player in the Cannabis World
While the local situation may seem bleak, it’s important to note that Cookies is a key player in the cannabis industry. The California-based company operates a network of 55 dispensaries across various countries, including Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, and Spain. Additionally, it boasts a popular clothing line, further solidifying its reputation.
