Stories of Danielle Lei selling cookies in front of a San Francisco pot dispensary went viral last week and sparked a trend, as well as a debate.

Girl Scouts are now selling their Thin Mint and Samoa cookies at a rather unlikely location: medical marijuana dispensaries and cannabis clinics. Numerous stories of young girls selling cookies outside of the clinics – with their parents present, of course – have been popping up throughout California and Colorado. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the kids also say they are pulling in record sales.

Carol Lei and her daughter, Danielle, reportedly sold out of cookies within 45 minutes of standing outside of a medical marijuana clinic in San Francisco. The next day, she sold 117 boxes of cookies in two hours. Carol said she wanted her daughter to learn business skills through selling the cookies, but thought the slightly unconventional setting also provided a lesson in tolerance.

“They learn that they’re not drugged out. Many have serious needs and are just a little different,” said Lei. “I feel like it’s safe. There’s always a security guard and cameras everywhere.”

The move has also raised debate among Girl Scout leaders in various states. The Girl Scouts of Colorado tweeted that “we don’t allow our Girl Scouts to sell cookies in front of marijuana shops or liquor stores/bars” and said any stories claiming this were a hoax. However, the Girl Scouts of Northern California said they had no problem with how the kids sold their cookies.

“Girls are selling cookies, and they and their parents pick out places where they can make good sales,” said Dana Allen, director of marketing and communications for Girl Scouts of Northern California. “The mom decided this was a place she was comfortable with her daughter being at. We’re not telling people where they can and can’t go if it’s a legitimate business.” Article Link…