# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 16. Cigarettes

### Subtitle 2. Cigarette Business Licenses

#### Section 16-206

(a) A manufacturer license authorizes the licensee to:

  (1) sell unstamped cigarettes to:

    (i) a licensed cigarette wholesaler located in Maryland; and

    (ii) a licensed cigarette wholesaler located outside of Maryland if the unstamped cigarettes may lawfully be sold in Maryland;

  (2) except as otherwise prohibited or restricted under local law, this article, or the Criminal Law Article, distribute sample cigarettes to consumers located in Maryland;

  (3) store unstamped cigarettes in a licensed cigarette storage warehouse for subsequent shipment to licensed wholesalers, federal reservations, or persons out of state; and

  (4) upon approval of the Executive Director, act as an agent of a Maryland licensed wholesaler for stamping and distribution of cigarettes.

(b) A retailer license authorizes the licensee to:

  (1) act as a retailer; and

  (2) buy stamped cigarettes from a subwholesaler or wholesaler.

(c)

  (1) A storage warehouse license authorizes the licensee to operate a storage facility in Maryland for the purpose of storing unstamped cigarettes on behalf of a licensed cigarette manufacturer.

  (2) If a storage warehouse licensee is a licensed cigarette wholesaler or licensed cigarette subwholesaler, the storage warehouse license authorizes the holder to store stamped cigarettes and cigarettes with another state's tax stamp.

(d) A subwholesaler license authorizes the licensee to:

  (1) act as a subwholesaler;

  (2) buy stamped cigarettes from a wholesaler or another subwholesaler; and

  (3) store stamped cigarettes and cigarettes with another state's tax stamp at a licensed cigarette storage facility.

(e) A vending machine operator license authorizes the licensee to:

  (1) act as a vending machine operator; and

  (2) buy stamped cigarettes from a subwholesaler or wholesaler.

(f) A wholesaler license authorizes the licensee to:

  (1) act as a wholesaler;

  (2) buy unstamped cigarettes directly from a cigarette manufacturer;

  (3) hold unstamped cigarettes;

  (4) buy tobacco tax stamps as authorized by Sec. 12-303 of the Tax - General Article;

  (5) transport unstamped cigarettes in the State;

  (6) sell unstamped cigarettes to another licensed wholesaler if the Executive Director specifically authorizes;

  (7) upon approval of the Executive Director, designate a licensed manufacturer to act as its agent for the stamping and distribution of cigarettes; and

  (8) store stamped cigarettes and cigarettes with another state's tax stamp at a licensed cigarette storage facility.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)