DANBURY, CT — Danbury officials moved a proposed ordinance targeting smoke and vape shops one step closer to adoption Tuesday night, advancing the measure to a public hearing amid ongoing concerns about illegal cannabis sales.
The City Council's action follows months of efforts to strengthen oversight of vape shops and smoke shops operating in the city.
Mayor Roberto Alves announced the development Tuesday, saying the proposed ordinance would give the city additional tools to hold businesses accountable for illegal sales.
"The new ordinance that was moved to a Public Hearing tonight goes a step further, and is one of many tools we are using to hold these establishments accountable when they are caught committing illegal sales of cannabis," Alves wrote on Facebook.
The proposal would require covered smoke and vape shops to obtain annual licenses from the city's Health and Human Services Department and establish additional penalties for violations.
A version of the ordinance reviewed by a City Council committee in October included a $250 licensing fee and a requirement for businesses to provide a $5,000 cash bond or letter of credit.
The proposal also included enforcement measures such as fines, license suspensions and potential revocations.
Danbury Has Already Restricted New Vape Shops
Alves said his administration previously worked with the city's legal and planning departments to restrict new smoke and vape shops from opening in Danbury. Existing establishments are allowed to continue operating as nonconforming uses under the city's zoning regulations.
Restrictions have given the city's police and health departments time to examine existing businesses and determine whether they are properly licensed by the state, according to the mayor.
The proposed ordinance would build on those efforts by establishing additional local oversight.
Danbury officials have also conducted enforcement operations targeting illegal cannabis sales.
During an Oct. 2 undercover operation involving Danbury police, the Drug Enforcement Administration and state agencies, three local vape shops failed compliance checks, according to police.
Authorities said employees sold marijuana products to undercover agents and tobacco vaping products to an underage person. Three employees were arrested on cannabis-related charges.
Public Hearing Planned
The proposed ordinance has not yet been adopted.
A date for the public hearing has not been announced, but Alves encouraged residents to attend once it is scheduled.
The mayor said he plans to speak at the hearing about the potential risks posed by businesses operating outside the law, particularly to children.
"As a kid growing up in Danbury and now as a father, I can't stand to see how many establishments have been created in the past 15-20 years," Alves wrote.
Residents can monitor upcoming City Council meetings and public hearings through the city's website.
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