Pennsylvania's smoke shops are putting unsuspecting consumers, particularly children, at risk by selling "straight-up marijuana" under the guise of hemp products, according to a scathing grand jury report released this week.
The investigation, led by district attorneys from Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties, exposed a lucrative black market that has proliferated in recent years. With federal laws allowing hemp products containing low levels of THC, unregulated smoke shops have launched a business model raking in profits while peddling potent substances with dubious lab reports.
"We've found that these smoke shops are selling straight-up marijuana," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele at a news conference. "The products exceed federal standards by 90% and often mislabeled or backed by fake certificates from suppliers."
Understandably, this deception puts adults and children alike at risk of exposure to potent substances whose potency and risks are concealed from view. Furthermore, some smoke shops market their products towards children and sell them with little oversight, posing a serious threat to public health.
Steele called on state lawmakers to impose product safety standards, establish age limits for THC products, regulate marketing practices, and create clear definitions of marijuana derivatives to prevent the sale of unregulated hemp products.
The investigation revealed that over 90% of edibles, THC vapes, and loose flower products analyzed exceeded federal standards. Nine instances were reported where children were hospitalized after ingesting THC products sold at smoke shops.
As Steele pointed out, these smoke shops are essentially operating outside the law, with no regard for public safety or child health. In fact, 240 smoke shops now outnumber schools in Montgomery County, fueling a black market that has become big business under federal hemp laws.
"We're hiding behind this loophole, saying this is Farm Bill compliant," Steele said. "But it's not compliant – it's just lawless."
The grand jury report comes amidst Pennsylvania's ongoing efforts to legalize recreational marijuana and create clear standards for its sale. However, the smoke shop industry poses a significant threat to public health and safety.
Law enforcement officials have taken action against unregulated smoke shops, with Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe issuing 16 search warrants, arresting suspects, and seizing over $500,000 in cash and other proceeds.
As Steele warned, those selling marijuana without proper licensing face severe penalties. "People that are selling drugs out of their stores – selling marijuana, that's a felony," he said.
The investigation, led by district attorneys from Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester counties, exposed a lucrative black market that has proliferated in recent years. With federal laws allowing hemp products containing low levels of THC, unregulated smoke shops have launched a business model raking in profits while peddling potent substances with dubious lab reports.
"We've found that these smoke shops are selling straight-up marijuana," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele at a news conference. "The products exceed federal standards by 90% and often mislabeled or backed by fake certificates from suppliers."
Understandably, this deception puts adults and children alike at risk of exposure to potent substances whose potency and risks are concealed from view. Furthermore, some smoke shops market their products towards children and sell them with little oversight, posing a serious threat to public health.
Steele called on state lawmakers to impose product safety standards, establish age limits for THC products, regulate marketing practices, and create clear definitions of marijuana derivatives to prevent the sale of unregulated hemp products.
The investigation revealed that over 90% of edibles, THC vapes, and loose flower products analyzed exceeded federal standards. Nine instances were reported where children were hospitalized after ingesting THC products sold at smoke shops.
As Steele pointed out, these smoke shops are essentially operating outside the law, with no regard for public safety or child health. In fact, 240 smoke shops now outnumber schools in Montgomery County, fueling a black market that has become big business under federal hemp laws.
"We're hiding behind this loophole, saying this is Farm Bill compliant," Steele said. "But it's not compliant – it's just lawless."
The grand jury report comes amidst Pennsylvania's ongoing efforts to legalize recreational marijuana and create clear standards for its sale. However, the smoke shop industry poses a significant threat to public health and safety.
Law enforcement officials have taken action against unregulated smoke shops, with Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe issuing 16 search warrants, arresting suspects, and seizing over $500,000 in cash and other proceeds.
As Steele warned, those selling marijuana without proper licensing face severe penalties. "People that are selling drugs out of their stores – selling marijuana, that's a felony," he said.
honestly gotta say, its crazy how these smoke shops can just operate under the radar like this. like they think theyre above the law or something 
theyre putting kids lives at risk and getting rich off it all. i feel bad for the parents who dont know what their kids are ingesting and dont even realize its potent stuff. like, whats next? these smoke shops gonna start selling legit products too? 
gotta think the state needs to step in here and set some real standards.
This is super concerning! I mean, you'd think with federal laws allowing hemp products that it would be easy to regulate who's selling what, but clearly not in PA. These smoke shops are making bank off of people who have no idea they're buying straight-up weed 
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the smoke shop thingy is SOOO bad!!! they're literally putting kids in danger by flogging them with these strong weed products 
which is so not cool at all! 90% of edibles and stuffs got way too much THC idc what federal laws say its like a big mess 
Steele needs to get some serious action going ASAP 
they gotta regulate this ASAP or people will keep getting hurt 
Like, what kind of parents would let that happen? 
.
. I don’t get why we need to have laws in place for this stuff. Can't we just make sure that everyone who sells these products is legit and follows the rules? 
. That's insane! And to think that some of these places are selling their products with little oversight, it’s like they're just winging it and hoping for the best 
.
. We need better laws and regulations in place to protect people's health and safety. And we need to take a stand against these smoke shops that are just putting profits over people 
.
Steele is 100% right let's get those hemp products regulated & make sure ppl know what they r getting into 
they're basically preying on ppl who dont no any better.
. I'm glad law enforcement officials are taking action against these unregulated stores.
. We need stricter regulations and clearer definitions of what constitutes a legitimate hemp product 
. Until then, it's just going to be more of the same – smoke shops profiting off people's health and well-being 
. The fact that 240 smoke shops now outnumber schools in Montgomery County is a red flag 
. It's time for action, not just words 
!
what's next? they're gonna start selling straight-up opioids as painkillers 
Steele is totally right tho, we need stricter laws and regulations ASAP 
especially with PA trying to legalize rec weed... this black market is like, super sketchy 
this is getting crazy ppl r making millions off selling weed like it's no big deal 
they need 2 come clean & regulate themselves or face the law 
at least 9 kids were hospitalized from THC products sold @ these shops 
and now there are kids hospitalized after ingesting these "products"... this is super messed up. 
... I mean, I get it, the black market is thriving and stuff, but come on, smoke shops are literally putting kids at risk with these fake hemp products 
. That's like selling cars with engines that go way too fast! 
And we're not just talking about edibles here - loose flower products and THC vapes are also getting a bad rap 
: 9 instances reported, which is more than the number of schools in Montgomery County 
. And let's be real - the smoke shop industry is basically operating outside the law 
we need stricter laws in place ASAP 
the fact that 90% of their products exceed federal standards is just mind-blowing 
anyway, let's hope that law enforcement keeps cracking down on these smoke shops and keeps our communities safe 
. We need to get some real regulation and oversight here, not just empty promises from lawmakers 
. It's just too much risk for me 
and its wild how these unregulated businesses are making bank off kids 
. The investigation revealed that most of these smoke shops are operating under fake certificates & lab reports 
.