PETITION TO SUPPORT THE OPENING OF A LEGAL & LICENSED CANNABIS DISPENSARY IN KENSINGTON, MARYLAND AND FIGHT FOR SMALL BUSINESS

To: Montgomery County Executive, Montgomery County Council, and Montgomery County Residents

Felicia Rami and Frank Hayes are Maryland natives that grew up in Baltimore and Chevy Chase, respectively, and the owners of Crabtree Dispensary, LLC, a startup business that holds a dispensary license issued by the Maryland Cannabis Administration, and aims to open a legal, licensed dispensary at 3740 University Blvd W in Kensington.

Crabtree Dispensary received building permits from the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS permit #1105564) and the Town of Kensington in May 2025. Crabtree also applied for a use and occupancy certificate, and received zoning approval in April 2025. As a result of receiving building permits AND obtaining zoning approval on the use & occupancy application, Crabtree entered into a long term lease at 3740 University Blvd W in May 2025. 

On July 8, 2025, Montgomery County DPS served Crabtree a notice of violation, stating that their dispensary location is within 500 feet of two places of worship. This notice halts construction ($200K+ invested and 35% complete) and puts their entire business in jeopardy as they are locked into a long term lease and can’t move locations.

DPS knew about a church being within 500 feet of 3740 University Blvd W via direct conversations with Frank Hayes and a complaint sent to DPS by the Mayor of Kensington in March 2025. Yet, in May 2025, DPS approved Crabtree’s permit application, including zoning. The two churches in question, located in office building suites, never applied for building permits or use and occupancy certificates, and are in violation of Montgomery County code. 

On the other hand, Crabtree Dispensary has navigated the permitting process in good faith with the Town of Kensington, Montgomery County, and the Maryland Cannabis Administration. They have been in constant contact with these stakeholders about this location since May 2024. 

This reversal by Montgomery County is extremely shocking and disappointing. Crabtree plans to appeal this decision to the Montgomery County Board of Appeals in order to save its business. 

Please sign this petition if you support a legal, licensed, safe dispensary in Kensington! Just to be clear, we are not asking for donations, just your support by signing and sharing.

72% of Montgomery County voters in the November 2022 election voted in favor of adult use legalization so we believe the majority of county residents are supportive.

If you have concerns about safety or minors having access to cannabis, please be reassured that Crabtree will scan driver licenses to ensure we don’t sell to minors, and we will have 24/7 365 security camera surveillance inside and out to deter crime. Minors are more likely to purchase intoxicating cannabis illegally at unlicensed vape and smoke shops. We will also accept online ACH and in store debit payments so we will not be a cash only business.