Maryland fined two divisions of cannabis multistate operator Curio Wellness a total of $8,000 for violating state advertising regulations.
It’s the second time this year Curio Wellness has been fined by home state regulators.
In March, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) fined Curio $26,000 for offenses that included selling marijuana that had been retrieved from a dumpster.
According to an MCA consent order dated Aug 5, Curio Cultivation and Curio Manufacturing violated rules prohibiting alcohol and marijuana companies from advertising to audiences unless at least 85% of the audience could be younger than 21.
According to the consent order, Curio in 2023:
- “Displayed a canopy/tent” with the brand’s logo on the side at the Hot August Music Festival in August in Cockeysville, Maryland, and advertised activities for children without providing evidence that at least 85% of the festival goers would be 21 or older.
- Sponsored the Baltimore Running Festival, which was promoted as the “2023 Curio Wellness 5K,” in October. That event also was not age-restricted and advertised a “Kids Fun Zone” with “activities and inflatable games.” The order also alleged “the Curio name and brand were featured prominently in print materials such as the Running Festival’s 2023 Runner’s Handbook” as well as on the “event website and on the lanyards upon which medals were distributed to running participants.”
The company, which has operations in Maryland and Missouri, has “fully cooperated with the MCA’s investigation” and remains “in good standing” with the agency, the consent order noted.
Curio’s $8,000 fine breaks down to $3,500 for each violation related to the Baltimore Running Festival and $1,000 ($500 per each division) for the Hot August Music Festival infraction.
The violations were first reported by The Outlaw Report.
