# Baltimore smoke shop enforcement legislation

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/baltimore-smoke-shop-enforcement-legislation
> Updated: 2026-10-15T18:44:48.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Baltimore City Council approved legislation to address the repeated illegal sale of unlicensed cannabis and controlled substances at local smoke shops. The measure was designed to target businesses that continued to operate despite previous citations, raids, and fines, responding to resident concerns regarding the proximity of these shops to children.

Under the proposed rules, the Baltimore Police Department could request an abatement order after a business receives two citations. Following a hearing, authorities could be authorized to padlock the property.

Mayor Brandon Scott subsequently signed the legislation into law. The law allows for premises to be padlocked for up to one year if a business receives a second citation for illegal sales within a 24-month period. The measure includes an administrative review process to allow business owners to contest allegations before a closure is executed.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-15: Baltimore Mayor signs law to padlock smoke shops selling illegal marijuana

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott signed a law allowing the city to padlock smoke shops for up to one year if they are cited twice within two years for selling illegal marijuana or controlled substances.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltimore-mayor-signs-law-to-padlock-smoke-shops-selling-illegal-marijuana

### 2026-09-29: Baltimore City Council approves bill to padlock repeat-offender smoke shops

Baltimore City Council approved a bill allowing police to padlock smoke shops that repeatedly sell unlicensed cannabis or controlled substances after receiving two citations.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/baltimore-city-council-approves-bill-to-padlock-repeat-offender-smoke-shops

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Cite as: Baltimore smoke shop enforcement legislation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/baltimore-smoke-shop-enforcement-legislation
