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February 18, 2025

East Hartford seeks new powers for crackdown on businesses, individuals illegally selling cannabis

Connor Martin
By Michael Puffer

East Hartford officials are planning to crack down on illegal cannabis sales with fines of up to $30,000 and other penalties.

While the town has approved five cannabis businesses, officials want to ensure the marketplace is carefully regulated. 

"We’re doing our best to open our doors to a growing, regulated industry,” Mayor Connor Martin said. “But we are seeing instances of illegal cannabis sales and distribution in town, either from smoke shops, convenience stores or elsewhere. In order to ensure that our community is protected from things like underage sales and unregulated products, we need the tools and enforcement measures to hold businesses who conduct illegal activity accountable. So, that’s why these ordinances are important. It’s about providing residents with a proper quality of life."

State lawmakers, last year, passed a law granting municipalities the ability to levy fines and petition to shut down businesses that illegally sell cannabis products. A subcommittee of East Hartford’s Town Council unanimously endorsed a proposal to adopt those powers earlier this month. The full Town Council could act on the measure this week. 

The new state law allows fines of up to $30,000 for people and businesses selling cannabis without a license. Towns can also seek a court order shutting down those businesses. The measure allows fines of up to $10,000 for landlords knowingly renting to businesses and individuals illegally selling cannabis products. 

East Hartford officials have allowed several cannabis businesses to take root in the town, including two cultivators, retailers and one business that would manufacture and transport cannabis products. 

These licensed businesses have not yet opened, although several are in the  process of building out their locations. 

The Town Council is hosting a public hearing on the proposed ordinance Tuesday. The measure is on the council’s Wednesday night agenda as well. 
 

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