Danbury Eyes New Rules For Smoke, Vape Shops Amid Cannabis Crackdown

DANBURY, CT — Danbury officials are considering new licensing requirements and penalties for smoke and vape shops as the city intensifies efforts to combat illegal cannabis sales.

A City Council ad hoc committee is scheduled to review the proposed ordinance Monday, Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. The measure would require covered businesses to obtain a city license, pay a $250 application fee and provide a $5,000 cash bond or letter of credit.

In a letter accompanying the proposal, Mayor Roberto Alves said the city's Health and Human Services Department and Police Department have worked alongside his office to reduce illegal sales at local vape shops.

"The Department of Health and Human Services and the Police Department, in partnership with my Office, have put considerable time, effort, and resources into decreasing the illegal sale of cannabis and controlled substances at vape shop establishments," Alves wrote.

He said businesses selling unregulated and illegal products pose public health and safety concerns, particularly for young people.

The proposed ordinance would establish additional local enforcement tools, including licensing requirements, inspections, fines and potential license revocations.

What Would The New Rules Require?

Under the proposed regulations, businesses would need to obtain a license through Danbury's Department of Health and Human Services.

The ordinance would apply to establishments where more than 25 percent of the floor space is devoted to selling and displaying tobacco, nicotine or vaping products, or where more than 50 percent of gross sales come from those products.

Certain businesses that sell tobacco products as an incidental part of their operations, including grocery stores and gas stations, would be excluded.

Covered businesses would be required to submit a $250 licensing application fee and a $5,000 cash bond or letter of credit. License renewals would also carry a $250 fee.

The application process would require businesses to disclose ownership information, relevant licensing and criminal histories, and details about their operations. Certain owners, managers and employees would also have to consent to background checks.

Existing businesses would have 90 days after the ordinance takes effect to apply for a license.

What Penalties Could Businesses Face?

The proposal would reinforce existing restrictions on tobacco and vaping sales to customers younger than 21. Employees would be required to check identification for customers who appear younger than 30.

The ordinance would also prohibit the sale of cannabis and other controlled substances at vape shop establishments, with license revocation among the proposed consequences.

Other violations could trigger escalating penalties.

A first violation would carry a $250 fine. A second violation within 12 months could result in a six-month license suspension, while a third violation within 24 months could lead to revocation.

The proposal would also authorize inspections by city health officials and police to determine whether businesses are complying with the regulations.

Businesses facing licensing enforcement actions would have an opportunity to request a hearing.

Proposal Comes Amid Smoke Shop Enforcement Efforts

The proposal comes amid recent enforcement actions targeting illegal cannabis sales and underage tobacco sales at Danbury smoke shops.

Three local vape shops failed compliance checks during an Oct. 2 undercover operation involving Danbury police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and state agencies.

Police said employees at Star Rose Vape & Smoke Shop on Mill Ridge Road, Smoke House 2 on Mill Plain Road and Smoke Station on White Street sold marijuana products to undercover DEA agents and tobacco vapes to an underage person.

Investigators reported finding more than 52 pounds of illicit THC products, measured in raw-flower equivalents, across the three businesses. Three employees were arrested on cannabis-related charges, and each received an infraction for selling an electronic cigarette to a minor, according to police.

The city has also filed a lawsuit seeking to shut down Cali Exotic Smoke Shop on White Street over accusations of unlicensed cannabis sales. The business was previously the subject of enforcement action.

In his letter to the City Council, Mayor Roberto Alves said the proposed licensing system would complement existing enforcement powers under Connecticut's cannabis laws.