Baltimore's "padlock" bill cracking down on illegal smoke shop activity signed into law by mayor

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott officially signed the city's "padlock" bill into law on Thursday.

Scott was joined by City Council President Zeke Cohen and other officials during a signing ceremony held at City Hall. 

The law authorizes police to shut down smoke shops that repeatedly violate current regulations by selling unlicensed cannabis or controlled dangerous substances.

Baltimore's City Council approved the measure late last month. 

"To be clear, Baltimore is home to legal, regulated cannabis sales," Scott told reporters before signing the law. "This bill is not about businesses that are following the law. This about addressing those that are breaking the law, and is based on experience and study."

"Every Baltimore neighborhood deserves a fair, reliable response to repeated illegal activity. That also protects the rights of businesses operating lawfully in our city," Scott added.

President Cohen: "do not sell poison to our kids"

"Let's just be clear, Baltimore is open for business," said Cohen. "But do not sell poison to our kids and our communities. We have seen far too often young people walking, unabated, into smoke shops, buying products, and then getting sick off of what they buy."

Cohen added, "We know, like the mayor said, we have in the state of Maryland, a legalized cannabis dispensary system where cannabis purveyors can get the license, their product is heavily regulated, it is safe to buy, and they are very clear that they do not sell to children."

Under the bill, the Baltimore Police Department can seek an abatement order from the Office of Administrative Hearings for any business that receives two citations for illegally selling cannabis or a controlled dangerous substance.

After an administrative hearing, the office can issue a proposed abatement order that could include padlocking the business as a nuisance. BPD would then have 15 days to abate the nuisance. 

City estimates at least 1,400 licensed smoke shops exist

City officials said approximately 1,400 smoke shops in Baltimore City are licensed by the state to sell tobacco.

The law followed testimony from city officials and residents who said some smoke shops sell untested, unregulated and dangerous products, including to children.

Last summer, Scott signed a similar measure into law requiring smoke shops in the city to be at least 750 feet away from schools, parks and recreation centers.