Robin Godwin: Pure Life Wellness to Open Medical Cannabis Dispensary on Cross Street in Federal Hill

Medical cannabis (marijuana) dispensary Pure Life Wellness will open in the coming weeks at 35 E. Cross St. in Federal Hill. The 4,5000 sq. ft. building is located across the street from Cross Street Market and was the former home to tenants including a tanning salon, a yoga studio, and a campaign office for Senator Chris Van Hollen.

Pure Life is owned by sisters-in-law Jaclyn and Michele Dolway, whose husbands are the owners of MaGerks Pub, which is located just across the street. Jaclyn Dolway is a Locust Point resident and Michele Dolway resides in Pennsylvania. Pure Life’s General Manager is Carly Boucher.

Jaclyn Dolway told SouthBMore.com that she was attracted to this business after learning about Women Grow, which looks to empower women to lead the cannabis industry. The idea to open Pure Life began to move forward in 2015.

The Dolways are finishing up a complete renovation at the location which features a 1,500 sq. ft. retail space with tile floors, reclaimed wood furniture and accents, local artwork, and plants. Jaclyn Dolway said she wants it to have a “calming and comfortable vibe.” The second and third floors will include a secured metal room to store the cannabis, offices, and a wellness room, which will be used for activities such as yoga.

The space will only get to be seen by Maryland residents with a Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) ID card, which must be shown to enter Pure Life. A card is obtained after registering with MMCC and obtaining a written certification from a provider registered with MMCC. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain. Pure Life will hold patient signup events to assist with this process. Jaclyn Dolway noted that this is not for everyone and only for patients showing medical records of these conditions.

Jaclyn Dolway noted that the potential for future recreational cannabis use in Maryland is not in Pure Life’s business plan.

Pure Life will be open Monday through Friday from 10am to 8pm, Saturdays from 11am to 6pm, and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. An armed security guard will be on the premises at all times Pure Life is open, and will take sweeps of the surrounding area to make sure unauthorized individuals do not try to enter the building and that there is no loitering. Jaclyn Dolway noted that the guard will be in plain clothes and will not be an “intimidating presence.” Security is provided by an outside company that is registered with MMCC.

Pure Life has 36 security cameras, six of which face the outside of the building. The security system has more than 30 days of storage.

Pure Life has 15 employees who will assist patients.

Patients will have the opportunity of purchase medical cannabis as flowers, which can be smoked or ingested through vapor; concentrates, which are topical; and tinctures, which are extracts taken orally with droppers.

Jaclyn Dolway told SouthBMore.com that marketing will be through word of mouth and its patient-focused approach and educational events. There are currently more than 18,000 MMCC card holders in Maryland.

Pure Life is one of the first dispensaries in Maryland to receive its final license from MMCC.

No Baltimore City zoning variances were needed to open Pure Life at its Cross St. location. Pure Life met with the South Baltimore Neighborhood Association (SBNA) last year and both SBNA and Pure Life described the meeting as “positive.”

“We live in the neighborhood and our family already runs a good neighborhood business,” said Jaclyn Dolway.

When asked why Cross St. for the location of Pure Life, Jaclyn Dolway replied, “why not!” She described it as a great business district with a lot of foot traffic. She also said that fellow business owners have been very supportive and that she looks forward to the redevelopment of the Cross Street Market.

Maryland’s District 46, which includes South and Southeast Baltimore, is eligible for three dispensaries under State law. Another dispensary is currently in the works for Federal Hill.