Cease & Desist Letter Sent To High Bazaar In Hamden

HAMDEN, CT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued a cease-and-desist letter to HighBazaar in Hamden on Thursday, warning organizers that the unlicensed cannabis market appears to violate multiple state statutes.

An additional letter was sent to the Masonic Temple Day Spring Lodge in Hamden, which currently hosts the market, according to Tong.

“It appears that these events involve the illegal marketing and sale of cannabis outside of the regulated market and that the events are accessible to individuals under the age of 21,” the letter states. “These events appear to violate the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (“CUTPA”), General Statutes § 42-110a, et seq., the Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act, General Statutes § 21a-420, et seq., and/or other applicable laws and regulations. We request that you cease holding these events immediately. If you do not do so, our office will explore all legal options.”

Residents over 21 can legally possess and consume cannabis in Connecticut. Cannabis products may only be sold in the regulated market and must meet “rigorous testing and packaging requirements,” according to a news release.

“Cannabis products sold outside of the regulated market continue to be illegal and may subject sellers to civil and criminal penalties,” the news release states.

HighBazaar is not licensed to sell cannabis in Connecticut, according to officials.

“Today’s letters follow a series of actions taken by Attorney General Tong to combat the sale of illegal cannabis in Connecticut, including high-THC delta-8 and delta-9 edibles,” officials wrote in the news release. “Last year, Attorney General Tong sent warning letters to all Connecticut licensed retailers of electronic vaping products advising them that sale of delta-8 THC by unlicensed retailers may be illegal.

“To date, the Office of the Attorney General has three pending enforcement actions, and has secured judgments against four additional Connecticut retailers for alleged violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act over the sale of illegal delta-8 THC. Additional investigations are active and ongoing.”

See also: Hamden Takes High Bazaar To Court