Business

Every year bankers look forward to regional economist Anirban Basu’s joke-filled, fantasy-themed forecast at the Maryland Bankers Association’s annual “First Friday Economic Outlook Forum.” Now they’ll get to hear his jokes (and insights about the economy) even more often. The Maryland Bankers Association announced Tuesday it has appointed Basu as its chief economist. Basu, CEO of Sage Policy Group, said he is taking on the role through a contract with the MBA.

Colonial Pipeline, the main Gulf Coast-East Coast artery for gasoline and other petroleum products, ran into a new computer snag Tuesday as it was still recovering from a shutdown that started May 7 after a ransomware attack. The company said the latest problem, which interrupted the system used by shippers to place requests for service, called nominations, was not a continuation of the cyberware attack that sparked panic-buying by frustrated motorists across the Southeast last week.

Busboys & Poets is inching closer to a grand opening in Charles Village. The Washington, D.C. chain’s much-anticipated arrival in Baltimore is slated to happen by the end of the month, a Busboys spokeswoman told me this week. On Thursday evening, the cafe/bookstore/performance space hosted a sneak preview for the neighborhood, featuring live performances, remarks from Mayor Brandon Scott and some free snacks and books. You can take a first look at the new space in the gallery above.

Medical cannabis dispensaries will celebrate their second 4/20 in the throws of a global pandemic next week. And although the cannabis “holiday” falls on a day that typically sees lower sales overall, local business owners are planning for spikes all weekend long. Dispensaries in Greater Baltimore hope to bring in plenty of extra business with special sales, giveaways and events celebrating Tuesday, April 20, many of those starting this weekend. 4/20 is a date that has become synonymous with the celebration of legal marijuana access and consumption.