There Are Rules, Sparky

Legalized marijuana market is threatened by illicit operations

The legalization of marijuana is a settled debate in Connecticut, but that does not mean that this state enacted a laissez-faire attitude towards enforcement – there are still rules that need to be followed, and ones that were put in place for a good reason. That was the message Attorney General William Tong delivered at a recent Legislative Committee meeting. And through the Department of Consumer Protection, Atty Gen. Tong was looking to work with towns and cities to help keep this industry operating within the law, and our streets safe.

For our municipalities, the issue is two-fold. One is that the proliferation of smoke shops are seizing opportunities to work outside the heavily regulated and controlled market that was set up when cannabis was legalized. And two, the products they are selling are targeted at children. Legally, product packaging must be legible and plain with child-proof lids, and the product itself must be within a certain limit. Illicit products – especially gummies - are often mislabeled, or are meant to look like common candies and junk food such as Cheetos or Lifesavers. For the former, it would be easy enough for a child to recognize that the package didn’t contain Cheetos, but the latter are indistinguishable from Lifesavers gummies. In a child’s hands, this can lead to hospitalization.

“Cannabis is legal for adults in Connecticut, but it’s not a free-for-all—retailers must be licensed and legal cannabis products must comply with strict safety standards.”-Attorney General William Tong

Because of this, towns and cities are being asked to partner with the DCP in tackling these illicit markets.

The first step is to checking with the department if the business has a credential to sell cannabis products. The next step after confirming the illicit nature of the business, is to contact DCP and see what paths are available to your town or city. Norwalk’s Police Department recently seized hundreds of illegal THC products during a raid that was a collaboration with the DCP Drug Control Division.

According to a report in the Hartford Courant, “police said they received information that the location was selling marijuana and products that were well above the legal THC level,” and that several hundred products were seized. According to Tong, landlords who rent out these storefronts are not exempt from action, and could be fined.

Unfortunately, this is not the only location in the state that has decided to skirt the well-regulated legal market for cannabis products. It seems as if new smoke shops are popping up in towns and cities across the state. Certainly, many of them will sell only legal items, but the risk of children being sent to the hospital for taking a large dose after eating what they thought were regular gummies is too great to just let them coast. Attorney General Tong’s message is right, Connecticut’s legal cannabis laws are not a carte blanche for residents to do as they please. The rules are there for a reason.