HARTFORD, Conn. — Local and state officials are going to bat to ensure legislation is passed to strengthen state and local enforcement against illegal marijuana sales.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, East Hartford Assistant Police Chief Joshua Litwin and others held a press conference Thursday to raise awareness around House Bill No. 7181, “An Act Concerning Enforcement of The State’s Cannabis, Hemp and Tobacco Laws.”

This legislation would strengthen both civil and criminal laws pertaining to marijuana sales. It would also make it a Class E felony for a cannabis shop – or any individual – to sell synthetic cannabis to anyone or sell cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia to individuals under age 21.

RELATED: 3 Danbury vape shops busted | 55 pounds of illegal cannabis seized, AG Tong reports

According to Tong’s office, the law would further encourage municipalities to pursue civil actions against criminal retailers by allowing cities and towns to retain all civil penalties from illegal cannabis enforcement actions. Penalties are currently shared with the state.

The bill would also create a new state Hemp and Cannabis Enforcement Task Force to improve existing collaboration between state agencies and municipalities as they enforce the law.

Currently, residents aged 21 and over in Connecticut can possess and consume cannabis legally, but those products may only be sold in the regulated market and must meet scrupulous testing and packaging requirements.

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However, illegal sales of cannabis continue to be problematic across the state, as numerous vape and smoke shops have been raided and discovered to be selling large quantities of marijuana, cannabis edibles, THC cartridges and other products out of their storefronts.

Tong reaffirmed Thursday that legal marijuana is “not a free-for-all.”

He said if one is unlicensed and selling unregulated cannabis – or selling regulated cannabis to minors – laws are being broken. Tong is confident that the bill sets a clear path toward progress.

“This legislation gives state and local law enforcement new, stronger mechanisms and incentives to hold bad actors accountable and to protect public safety,” Tong said.

RELATED: Connecticut smoke shop busted again for selling cannabis; more arrests expected, police say

Martin added that he is happy to support legislation that preserves residents’ quality of life and includes enforcing legalized cannabis regulations. He is also committed to supporting local businesses that follow legal processes and procedures.

“This proposed legislation will provide more tools to support our local efforts to address unregulated practices,” Martin said.

House Majority Leader Jason Rojas believes that the goal of legalizing adult cannabis use was to create a safe, regulated marketplace that protects consumers and supports legitimate businesses. He said that in order for legal cannabis dispensaries to profit, illegal marijuana sales must be curbed across the state. 

“Those who continue to operate outside of this legal framework undermine these efforts and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Rojas said. “We are grateful to Attorney General Tong for his continued commitment to enforcing these laws and ensuring that the legal cannabis market has the opportunity to succeed.”

Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com. 

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