Surprise Inspection Finds Westport Shop Illegally Selling Pot Products, Some Disguised as Kids’ Candy
Contributed photo from Google Maps. Press ReleaseTHC laced candy confiscated from WP Convenience. Photo contributed by Westport Police Detectives. On Wednesday April 12, 2023, the Westport Police Department working with the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program (TPEP) conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes. The inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of 30 before selling a tobacco product or electronic cigarette. Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com.
A total of 12 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of this total, 0 (zero), establishments were found non-compliant with Connecticut General Statutes 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).
Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Non-compliant inspection results are referred to DRS for possible administrative action.
The following retailers were found to be compliant:
THC laced items confiscated from WP Convenience. Photo contributed by Westport Police Detectives. Merritt Country Store – 337 Main Street
Country Deli Store - 332 Wilton Road
Sunoco Food Mart - 240 Riverside Avenue
Westport Shell – 322 Post Road East
Cumberland Farms – 690 Post Road East
Wheels - 786 Post Road East
Westport Cigar & Vape – 1248 Post Road East
Exxon Tiger Mart - 1510 Post Road East
Shell Food Mart - 1530 Post Road East
WP Convenience – 1761 Post Road East
Mohegan Smoke Shop - 1803 Post Road East
Mercury - 1830 Post Road East
WP Convenience was found to have a large number of illegal vape and THC products for sale. Many of these items did not display the required QR codes and/or were packaged to look like candy.
While anyone might mistake a copycat candy for the real thing, young children are especially vulnerable. These colorful packages resemble popular candy and snack foods, but their contents often contain high doses of THC, which can cause marijuana toxicity, especially in unsuspecting children. These items were seized in addition to a number of canisters of suspected marijuana. The business does not have a dispensary license. Additionally, Westport zoning regulation prohibits all sales of retail (non-medical) cannabis products in Westport, including Delta-9 THC and Delta-8. This incident remains under investigation by the Westport Police Detective Bureau.