{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-business-regulation-16-201","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Business Regulation § 16–201","heading":"","body":"(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.\n(b) “License” means:\n(1) a license issued by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to:\n(i) act as a manufacturer;\n(ii) act as a subwholesaler;\n(iii) act as a vending machine operator;\n(iv) act as a wholesaler; or\n(v) act as a storage warehouse; or\n(2) a license issued by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.\n(c) “Licensed manufacturer” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a manufacturer.\n(d) “Licensed retailer” means a person licensed by the clerk under § 16–205(b) of this subtitle to act as a retailer.\n(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.\n(f) “Licensed subwholesaler” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a subwholesaler.\n(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.\n(h) “Licensed wholesaler” means a person licensed by the Executive Director under § 16–205(a) of this subtitle to act as a wholesaler.\n(i) “Manufacturer” means a person who:\n(1) (i) operates one or more cigarette manufacturing plants; or\n(ii) is a participating manufacturer; and\n(2) (i) sells unstamped cigarettes to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located in Maryland;\n(ii) sells unstamped cigarettes that may lawfully be sold in Maryland to a licensed cigarette wholesaler located outside of Maryland;\n(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\n(iv) stores unstamped cigarettes in a cigarette storage warehouse in Maryland for subsequent shipment to licensed wholesalers, federal reservations, or persons out of state.\n(j) “Participating manufacturer” has the meaning stated in § 16–501 of this title.\n(k) “Retailer” means a person who:\n(1) sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on fewer than 40 premises;\n(2) otherwise sells cigarettes to consumers; or\n(3) holds cigarettes for sale to consumers.\n(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.\n(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(n) (1) “Subwholesaler” means a person who:\n(i) holds stamped cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or\n(ii) sells stamped cigarettes to another person for resale.\n(2) “Subwholesaler” does not include a person who sells unstamped cigarettes or holds unstamped cigarettes for sale.\n(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.\n(p) “Vending machine operator” means a person who:\n(1) holds cigarettes for sale to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises; or\n(2) sells cigarettes to consumers through vending machines on 40 or more premises.\n(q) “Wholesaler” means a person who:\n(1) holds cigarettes for sale to another person for resale; or\n(2) sells cigarettes to another person for resale.","path":["Article - Business Regulation"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gbr\u0026section=16-201","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:56:23Z","sha256":"2db45d67b8ac1aa3bc0f6d1f10ec736f0b7f1989f6e5af4739f4ea6cc961e98d","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-business-regulation-16-102","next":"us-md/md.-code-business-regulation-16-202"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}