Marijuana quietly available
Two dispensaries open, in Federal Hill and Hampden, with little fanfare
Pure Life Wellness has opened for business on Cross Street in Federal Hill, facing the Cross Street Market.
Baltimore’s first medical marijuana dispensaries opened this week among the bars and restaurants of Federal Hill and the eclectic shops of Hampden, and some people who live and work in those neighborhoods said they didn’t much care.
“I just don’t want to see fast food or a chain store move in,” said Raissa Snyder, who lives a short walk down Keswick Road from Maggie’s, the new Hampden shop. “I’d like to maintain the character of the neighborhood. And this is another small business.”
The two new dispensaries — along with Maggie’s, Pure Life Wellness has opened in Federal Hill — are among11slated to open in the city, with 102 expected statewide.
They arrived so quietly that many passers-by said they didn’t realize they were open. Nowhere on the storefronts do the businesses say they are in the marijuana or pharmacy business.
Medical marijuana is a widely popular cause in Maryland — a 2014 Goucher Poll indicated the idea enjoyed a 90 percent approval rating in the state — and perhaps even more so in these neighborhoods, which have a demographic of young residents and visitors who are generally the most supportive of legalizing marijuana.
Maggie’s is located in the former Schwing Motor Building a few blocks off the Avenue in Hampden, and the Art Deco structure has been given enough of a makeover to earn kudos from neighbors.
Chris Allen has lived across the street from the building for three years and said it’s probably been empty for two, which he felt made it a potential target for crime.
“I’d rather have a business there than an empty shop,” he said. “It’s well lit and kind of has a nice atmosphere. … I’ve been out to Seattle where marijuana is legal and didn’t see any problems there, so I don’t expect them here.”
Maggie’s is set amid rowhouses, a 7-Eleven convenience store and a couple of art galleries. Ian Smusz, who works at Fleckenstein Gallery & Archival Framing, Maggie’s has opened on a street off the Avenue in Hampden, occupying a newly renovated building. agreed an occupied building is better than an empty one, particularly one that is renovated. “It’s been quiet so far and I don’t expect anything to change much,” he said. “This isn’t shaking up anything.”
Maggie’s owner did not respond to requests for comment and access to the shop this week, but representatives appeared at neighborhood meetings ahead of its opening. Those meetings drew both support and some concern, said Matt Stegman, president of the Hampden Community Council. He said most concerns were similar to those for other new businesses, including how much foot traffic it would generate and how parking would be affected.
He said some residents were opposed to the shop, but others were reserving judgment until the business was operating a while. He said many people were more curious than anything else.
“It is a new thing and no one was totally sure what it would look like, and these operations can look different everywhere,” he said. “The general feeling in the neighborhood is that they are not alarmed.”
Marcie Prince, who lives nearby, said she would have preferred that the medical marijuana dispensary wasn’t located in view of houses and a park and a couple of blocks from a school. She thought it was better suited among other businesses. Still, she was pleased Maggie’s has security, which she hopes puts off anyone looking for criminal opportunities.
“They did a nice renovation, and in the first days there have been no problems,” she said.
In Federal Hill, Pure Life Wellness opened Wednesday by appointment only. Owner Jaclyn Dolaway planned to take appointments through Saturday and open the Cross Street storefront to the public starting in a week. Representatives there also declined to comment.
Before purchasing medical marijuana, clients need to register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and get a recommendation from a doctor. There were more than 17,000 consumers and more than 500 providers registered as of December when the first half dozen dispensaries opened around the state. Now 30 dispensaries have been approved to open, though not all of them have.