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"
$500K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced settlements with SunRun, Inc., Elevate Solar Solutions, and two salespeople over allegations of deceptive solar sales, including impersonating consumers and locking homeowners into long-term contracts without consent. SunRun must pay $300,000 and provide consumer relief; Elevate and the salespeople face a stated $200,000 penalty, with $100,000 suspended subject to ongoing compliance.
$8.0M
Connecticut announced an $8 million settlement with Mylan over allegations that it used agreements to delay generic EpiPen competitors and took other actions that inflated prices. Mylan also agreed to provide 10,000 free EpiPens; the release states that Mylan denies wrongdoing.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief challenging DHS’s policy and practice of conducting warrantless civil immigration arrests. The press release describes a court challenge, not a privacy enforcement action or monetary penalty.
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
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Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.