The Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) issued a $33,000 consolidated fine against Green Leaf Medical, LLC, doing business as The Cannabist Company, following an investigation into improper cannabis sampling, recordkeeping failures, and compliance violations tied to company-sponsored events in late 2024.
The enforcement action, finalized through a consent order dated Dec. 1, 2025, stems from administrative charges issued on Aug. 20, 2025, under the state’s Cannabis Reform Act and corresponding regulations in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Green Leaf Medical holds licenses to operate a cannabis grow facility (License No. GA-23-00012) and a cannabis processor facility (License No. PA-23-00011), both located in Frederick, Maryland.
Harvest Event and Employee Sampling Issues
The MCA’s investigation began after a partial compliance inspection at Green Leaf Medical’s grow facility on Nov. 25, 2024. Prior to the inspection, an MCA investigator reviewed the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system, METRC, and identified 22 package adjustments labeled as “employee samples” recorded between Oct. 29 and Nov. 25, 2024.
According to company management, some of the adjustments related to an employee-only Harvest Event held on Nov. 1, 2024, commemorating the company’s 300th cannabis harvest. Approximately 60 employees were each given packaged cannabis flower totaling roughly 458 grams as they departed the facility. While the distributions were logged in METRC as employee samples, individual recipients were not initially identified in the system, with employee names instead tracked separately on an internal spreadsheet.
Green Leaf Medical later attributed the discrepancy to a misunderstanding of METRC Sampling Guidance and subsequently corrected its records. Following reconciliation, the MCA determined there was no evidence of cannabis diversion related to the Harvest Event.
Halloween Event Violations
More serious violations were tied to a company-sponsored Halloween event, the “Highly Haunted Mansion,” held on Oct. 30, 2024, at Overhills Mansion in Catonsville, Maryland. The event was intended as a business-to-business marketing function for registered Maryland cannabis agents, but investigators later determined that some unregistered individuals gained access and received cannabis samples.
Records show that Green Leaf Medical distributed a combined total of 721 grams of finished cannabis flower and 76 manufactured cannabis products—including edibles, vape cartridges, and concentrates—from its grow and processor facilities for redistribution at the event. Some of the samples were transported in personal vehicles, exceeding Maryland’s legal possession limits for civil use. Investigators also found that cannabis samples were distributed by unregistered individuals and that some products were removed from their original packaging and labeling before being provided to attendees.
The MCA concluded that at least two individuals who were not registered cannabis agents received cannabis samples during the event, in violation of state law and COMAR regulations governing trade samples, packaging, labeling, and oversight.
Additional Manager Sampling Violations
The investigation further identified that a grow facility manager distributed 105 grams of cannabis flower to five managers as employee samples between Nov. 11 and Nov. 25, 2024. While the amounts did not exceed personal possession limits and were properly packaged, some samples were not labeled in accordance with COMAR requirements, and the initial METRC entry incorrectly recorded the distribution as a single transaction.
Penalties and Corrective Actions
Under the consent order, Green Leaf Medical agreed to pay a $33,000 fine to the state’s Compassionate Use Fund within 30 days. The company must also provide proof that its managers have completed at least five hours of inventory and METRC training related to employee and trade sampling.
In addition, Green Leaf Medical must cease hosting dedicated sampling events similar to the Halloween event for one year, although compliant employee and trade sampling may continue. The company is also required to submit a revised standard operating procedure for determining compliance with personal use limits under Maryland law.
The MCA noted that Green Leaf Medical cooperated with investigators, corrected its METRC entries, and implemented updated internal procedures. The company also voluntarily agreed to suspend event hosting throughout 2025.
By entering into the consent order, Green Leaf Medical waived its right to contest the findings or appeal the enforcement action.
