§ 16–201
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. § 16-201 (2026)
Title 16. Cigarettes
Subtitle 2. Cigarette Business Licenses
§ 16–201LinkCopy Citation
(a)
In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)
“License” means:
(1)
a license issued by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to:
(i)
act as a manufacturer;
(ii)
act as a subwholesaler;
(iii)
act as a vending machine operator;
(iv)
act as a wholesaler; or
(v)
act as a storage warehouse; or
(2)
a license issued by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.
(c)
“Licensed manufacturer” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a manufacturer.
(d)
“Licensed retailer” means a person licensed by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.
(e)
“Licensed storage warehouse” means a facility licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a storage warehouse.
(f)
“Licensed subwholesaler” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a subwholesaler.
(g)
“Licensed vending machine operator” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a vending machine operator.
(h)
“Licensed wholesaler” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a wholesaler.
(i)
“Manufacturer” means a person who:
(1)
(i)
operates one or more cigarette manufacturing plants; or
(ii)
is a participating manufacturer; and
(2)
(i)
sells unstamped cigarettes to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located in Maryland;
(ii)
sells unstamped cigarettes that may lawfully be sold in Maryland to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located outside of Maryland;
(iii)
unless otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, or the Criminal Law Article, distributes sample cigarettes to consumers located in Maryland; or
(iv)
stores unstamped cigarettes in a cigarette storage warehouse in Maryland for subsequent shipment to licensed wholesalers, federal reservations, or persons out of state.
(j)
“Participating manufacturer” has the meaning stated in § 16–501 of this title.
(k)
“Retailer” means a person who:
(1)
sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on fewer than 40 premises;
(2)
otherwise sells cigarettes to consumers; or
(3)
holds cigarettes for sale to consumers.
(l)
“Stamped cigarettes” means a package of cigarettes to which tobacco tax stamps are affixed in the amount and manner required by § 12–304 of the Tax – General Article.
(m)
“Storage warehouse” means a storage facility in Maryland operated for the purpose of storing unstamped cigarettes on behalf of a licensed cigarette manufacturer.
(n)
(1)
“Subwholesaler” means a person who:
(i)
holds stamped cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or
(ii)
sells stamped cigarettes to another person for resale.
(2)
“Subwholesaler” does not include a person who sells unstamped cigarettes or holds unstamped cigarettes for sale.
(o)
“Unstamped cigarettes” means a package of cigarettes to which tobacco tax stamps are not affixed in the amount and manner required by § 12–304 of the Tax – General Article.
(p)
“Vending machine operator” means a person who:
(1)
holds cigarettes for sale to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises; or
(2)
sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises.
(q)
“Wholesaler” means a person who:
(1)
holds cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or
(2)
sells cigarettes to another person for resale.