Westport Store Accused Of Selling 'Illegal Vape And THC Products': PD

WESTPORT, CT — A Westport convenience store is being investigated by local police and the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services after authorities seized "illegal vape and THC products" during a recent unannounced inspection.

WP Convenience, at 1761 Post Road East, faces potential fines and/or other penalties as a result of the discovery last Wednesday.

"Many of these items did not display the required QR codes and/or were packaged to look like candy," Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods told Patch.

He added, "There is still an open criminal investigation."

Last week, members of the police department and the addiction services' Tobacco
Prevention and Enforcement Program conducted unannounced compliance inspections of
establishments in Westport that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.

The inspections were performed to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to youth under the age of 21, according to Woods.

By state law, retailers are required to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under the age of
30 before selling them any tobacco product or electronic cigarette. Tobacco retailers are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, and non-compliance can result in disciplinary action by DRS.

A total of 12 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted, and all were in compliance with the state regulations of not selling to underage patrons, though WP Convenience was found in violation of the sale of the other products.

The following retailers were inspected and found to be compliant:

1. Merritt Country Store – 337 Main Street
2. Country Deli Store - 332 Wilton Road
3. Sunoco Food Mart - 240 Riverside Avenue
4. Westport Shell – 322 Post Road East
5. Cumberland Farms – 690 Post Road East
6. Wheels - 786 Post Road East
7. Westport Cigar & Vape – 1248 Post Road East
8. Exxon Tiger Mart - 1510 Post Road East
9. Shell Food Mart - 1530 Post Road East
10. WP Convenience – 1761 Post Road East
11. Mohegan Smoke Shop - 1803 Post Road East
12. Mercury - 1830 Post Road East

Woods said that anyone could mistake one of the copycat candy products for the real thing, but "young children are especially vulnerable."

"These colorful packages resemble popular candy and snack foods, but their contents
often contain high doses of THC, which can cause marijuana toxicity, especially in unsuspecting
children," Woods said. "These items were seized in addition to a number of canisters of suspected marijuana. The business does not have a dispensary license. Additionally, Westport zoning regulation prohibits all sales of retail (non-medical) cannabis products in Westport, including Delta-9 THC and Delta-8."

Free online training is available to anyone who would like to learn more at: www.cttobaccotraining.com. Learn more at https://www.ct.gov/dmhas/tpep