Smoke Shops, Juvenile Crime Discussed at Baltimore Town Hall

Community leaders, officials address illegal activity in smoke shops and youth violence in Federal Hill

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:32pm

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The third annual Solutions Pact Town Hall hosted by Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates was held Wednesday night in South Baltimore. The meeting focused on issues like illegal sales at smoke shops and juvenile crime. Panelists included Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino, Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission Executive Director Jeff Kelly, and Baltimore City Councilman Antonio Glover.

Why it matters

Smoke shops selling illegal products and youth violence are ongoing concerns in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood. Community leaders are seeking solutions to address these public safety issues through increased collaboration between law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and local government.

The details

Police recently arrested a 22-year-old man they believe was selling marijuana products from inside a smoke shop while posing as an armed security guard. Officials discussed the need for a mandatory registry for smoke shops and better coordination between agencies to crack down on illegal activity. The town hall also addressed rising crime rates, including four homicides and 120 assaults around the Cross Street Market area in the past year.

  • The third annual Solutions Pact Town Hall was held on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • On Tuesday, March 18, 2026, Baltimore Police arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly selling marijuana from a smoke shop.

The players

Ivan Bates

Baltimore City State's Attorney who hosted the town hall.

Betsy Fox Tolentino

Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.

Jeff Kelly

Executive Director of the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission.

Antonio Glover

Baltimore City Councilman.

Brant Fisher

President of the Brewer's Hill Neighborhood Association.

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What they’re saying

“There's no license to sell illegal drugs, they're just doing that because they're getting away with it.”

— Jeff Kelly, Executive Director, Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission

“Smoke shops are popping up on every single corner, from my understanding, sometimes they're selling marijuana to young kids, they're selling other things to young children. That's the type of activity that cannot happen and we cannot have.”

— Ivan Bates, Baltimore City State's Attorney

“Accountability and support go hand-in-hand. We need to have both. We need to have the right supports for our young people, but we do have to hold them accountable and ourselves accountable to make sure we're running this department in a way that puts us in a place to be a true partner in public safety.”

— Betsy Fox Tolentino, Secretary, Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

What’s next

The Baltimore City Council is currently considering a bill that would reduce the number of smoke shops in the city. Officials also discussed the need for a mandatory registry for smoke shops and increased collaboration between law enforcement, regulatory agencies, and local government to address illegal activity.

The takeaway

Addressing the issues of illegal activity in smoke shops and youth violence in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood will require a multi-pronged approach involving law enforcement, regulatory agencies, local government, and community engagement. Stakeholders are seeking solutions through policy changes, enhanced coordination, and a focus on both accountability and support for young people.