Repeated Cannnabis Sales Violations Permanently Shutter Anesthesia Smoke and Convenience: Attorney General

NEW HAVEN, CT — Anesthesia Smoke and Convenience in New Haven will remain permanently closed, and its owners will pay a $100,000 penalty following repeated violations of Connecticut's cannabis laws, Attorney General William Tong announced Tuesday.

As then reported by Patch, Tong first sued Anesthesia and its owner Fadhl Shaif in 2024 after a number of unannounced visits by the AG's and state Department of Consumer Protection's investigators "observed thousands of illegal high-THC products for sale without a necessary cannabis license."

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Anesthesia agreed to a $50,000 stipulated judgment, with $25,000 suspended if the business complied with a series of provisions, including a prohibition on the company and its owner from selling cannabis products without a license. The store was also required to submit annual compliance reports.

Tong said after Anesthesia failed to submit its first annual compliance report as required by the 2024 stipulation, "drug control agents from DCP visited the shop on two separate occasions and reported the presence of hundreds of cannabis products—in clear violation of the stipulated judgment."

The New Haven Police Department participated in one of these inspections, according to Tong.

Next, AG Tong's office filed a motion for contempt on March 30 against Anesthesia and its owner.

Tong Tuesday announced a settlement of that contempt proceeding, forcing the permanent closure of Anesthesia and a permanent injunction against owner Shaif from owning or operating any business in Connecticut.

Shaif must cooperate with the state in ongoing investigations to identify his suppliers and investors. He is further obligated to pay $100,000 to the state, with an additional $125,000 suspended to guarantee compliance with the terms of the agreement, according to the AG.

"If you are unlicensed, if you sell bootleg, unregulated cannabis, we will find you and we will hold you accountable," Tong is quoted as saying.

Individuals age 21 and over can legally possess and consume cannabis in Connecticut, Tong explained, but said cannabis products may only be sold in the regulated market and must meet rigorous testing and packaging requirements. Cannabis products sold outside of the regulated market continue to be illegal and may subject sellers to civil and criminal penalties.

"The purpose of the regulated cannabis market is to provide a safe space and rules for product testing and labels that help adult consumers make informed decisions," state Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said. "Businesses selling unregulated cannabis products often skirt other laws meant to protect consumers, including selling products to minors and selling products that have not been properly tested."

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker noted that the city has passed new laws regulating smoke shops and other tobacco retailers. He added that the city partners with state and local officials to "protect our residents from bad actors" who put residents' safety at risk.

"Smoke shops that are selling cannabis illegally will be held accountable. Anesthesia Smoke Shop is now closed for good, and this should serve as a warning to other businesses: follow the law or there will be a steep price to pay," Elicker said.

According to Tong, in unannounced visits to vape shops and gas stations, state investigators "continue to routinely find illegal cannabis products for sale, including blunts, marijuana flower, and edibles mimicking popular youth-oriented snack foods. Illegal look-alike cannabis products pose a unique health threat to children, who may unknowingly ingest high doses of potent psychoactive chemicals."

Tong recognized Assistant Attorneys General Addison Keilty, Michael Nunes, Katherine Hagmann-Borenstein, Allison Frisbee and Rebecca Quinn and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section who "assisted the Attorney General in this matter."