Connecticut passed House Bill No. 7181 to strengthen enforcement against illegal cannabis and tobacco sales by increasing penalties, allowing municipalities to retain civil penalties, and creating a task force. The law also expands bans on online sales of e-cigarettes and improves age verification to prevent youth access to addictive products.
The legislation introduces new criminal penalties for selling synthetic cannabis or to minors (class E felony), enables municipalities to retain all civil penalties from illegal cannabis enforcement, creates a state Hemp and Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, expands the ban on online tobacco sales to e-cigarettes, and closes age verification loopholes for nicotine products.
In-house legal teams should review contracts with retailers, wholesalers, and online sellers to ensure compliance with new age verification requirements for nicotine products, prohibitions on selling cannabis to minors, and civil penalty provisions for illegal sales. Contracts should incorporate updated enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance with state cannabis and tobacco laws.
Entity
House Bill No. 7181
Also known as: Connecticut
Industry
Other"House Bill No. 7181, An Act Concerning Enforcement of the State’s Cannabis, Hemp and Tobacco Laws"
"House Bill No. 7181, An Act Concerning Enforcement of the State’s Cannabis, Hemp and Tobacco Laws"
"illegal sale of high-THC cannabis products"
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.