New Jersey Girl Scouts attract criticism for preying on the munchies

Some are calling the dispensary strategy business-savvy while other say its inappropriate

Rowan Dunne

Published

4 hours ago

A New Jersey Girl Scout troop turned one of their classic cookie booths into a high-demand hotspot by setting up outside Daylite Dispensary in Mount Laurel Township last month.

Customers, fresh from their purchases and hit with the infamous cannabis-induced munchies, snapped up boxes by the armful.

The troop sold out quickly during the trial run, raking in impressive numbers that delighted the dispensary owner, Steve Cassidy. He told reporters that many of his staff also bought the cookies and that feedback from customers was “overwhelmingly positive.”

However, senior Girl Scouts leaders quickly intervened, deeming the location inappropriate under organization policies that prohibit sales near adult-oriented venues.

“Girl Scouts can set up booths outside of businesses that they would be able to enter or purchase something from,” said the Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey in a statement.

They barred the troop from returning for planned follow-up sessions, leaving the girls’ debatably innovative boost short-lived.

This move highlighted how Girl Scout cookies can pair with post-purchase cravings, despite clashing with the group’s wholesome brand image.

THE SMARTEST BUSINESS HUSTLE OF THE YEAR

A Girl Scout troop in New Jersey just pulled off the ultimate entrepreneurial move: they set up their cookie table directly outside of a marijuana dispensary.

It was an absolute goldmine. They were selling out to customers with the… pic.twitter.com/KNJpHnYCVK

— Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4) March 11, 2026

They aren’t the 1st with this strategy

This isn’t the first rodeo for troops eyeing dispensaries as sales goldmines. In 2018, a 9-year-old girl sold more than 300 boxes in six hours outside of a pot shop in San Diego, California. She too received praise from some while others raised their eyebrows.

Moreover, in 2014 a San Francisco Girl Scout famously sold 117 boxes in just two hours outside a medical marijuana clinic.

Dispensary staff often rave about the synergy as cannabis reliably sparks appetites. Each time, however, Girl Scout councils stepped in with investigations or outright bans, enforcing rules against proximity to adult-only businesses.

The New Jersey case follows the same script: troops spot an untapped market, sales explode thanks to the munchies factor, but headquarters shuts it down to try and safeguard the organization’s family-friendly reputation.

Toxic ingredients raise alarm

Adding fuel to the recent cannabis-related controversy, Girl Scout cookies face ongoing scrutiny over alleged contaminants.

A December 2024 study by Moms Across America and GMOScience tested 25 samples from multiple states and detected glyphosate — a controversial herbicide linked to cancer risks — in every one. The Thin Mints variety showed the highest levels.

Most samples also contained heavy metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury, often exceeding certain safety thresholds based on EPA standards for water or food.

A class-action lawsuit filed in New York in early 2025 is seeking US$5 million in damages, accusing Girl Scouts USA and its bakers of failing to disclose these traces and misleading consumers. Critics warn of potential long-term health effects, including cancer and neurological issues.

The organization has pushed back strongly, stating that its cookies comply with FDA and EPA regulations and that trace contaminants appear in many everyday foods without proven harm. No official recall has occurred.

Dispensary marijuana with a legit certificate of analysis is literally safer than Girl Scout cookies. https://t.co/ROYkv1x2ZG

— The Dank Informer (@TheDankInformer) February 18, 2026