46 Montco Gas Stations, Smoke Shops Criminally Charged For Selling Weed: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — Forty six businesses in Montgomery County face face criminal charges for selling marijuana, the district attorney's office announced Wednesday afternoon, even amidst an increasingly bipartisan push to decriminalize marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Officials said the products are being sold at smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations.

Detectives went in person to a variety of these businesses and purchased gummies, beverages, vape cartridges, and other products containing weed, according to the DA.

The stores were located in 26 townships across the county.

Police said they warned businesses to remove products from the shelves before they filed charges. Many businesses continued to sell the items regardless of the warning, they said.

"Until the legislature acts on this issue, law enforcement has an obligation to prosecute the general sale of THC," DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. "Our enforcement actions are taken to protect Montgomery County youth and the general public from the unscrupulous sales of illegal substances in the businesses.”

Half the country, including 24 states and Washington D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana. Legislation has been pending in Pennsylvania for years that would make sales legal, and though there is strong support on either side of the aisle, it has continued to stall.

Businesses were charged with "possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance."

Preliminary hearings were set for Nov. 9.