New Haven – Attorney General William Tong confirmed Tuesday that Anesthesia Smoke and Convenience, a former smoke shop located at 968 Chapel Street, will stay permanently closed and its owner, Fadhl Shaif, must pay a $100,000 civil penalty. The action follows a multi‑year investigation into the shop’s sale of unlicensed, high‑THC cannabis products.
Background of the enforcement
Tong’s office first sued Anesthesia in January 2024 after investigators from the Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) documented thousands of illegal cannabis items on the premises. The shop operated without the required state cannabis license and offered products that had not undergone the rigorous testing and labeling required for legal adult‑use cannabis.
In the original settlement, Anesthesia agreed to a $50,000 stipulated judgment, with $25,000 suspended contingent on compliance with a series of conditions, including a prohibition on selling cannabis without a license and the submission of annual compliance reports.
Failure to comply and contempt proceeding
After the shop failed to file its first required compliance report, DCP agents conducted two unannounced inspections and found hundreds of cannabis products still on the shelves, directly violating the stipulated judgment. New Haven Police assisted in one of those inspections.
On March 30, the Attorney General’s Office filed a motion for contempt. Today, Tong announced a settlement that enforces a permanent injunction barring Shaif from owning or operating any business in Connecticut and imposes the $100,000 penalty, with an additional $125,000 suspended to ensure future compliance.
State officials stress consumer safety
“Legal cannabis is not a free‑for‑all. If you are unlicensed, if you sell bootleg, unregulated cannabis, we will find you and we will hold you accountable,” Tong said in the press release. Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli added that the regulated market exists to provide safe products, proper testing, and clear labeling so adult consumers can make informed decisions. He warned that illegal products often bypass these safeguards and may be sold to minors.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker praised the joint effort, stating, “Locally, we’ve passed new laws regulating smoke shops and other tobacco retailers, and we will continue to work with our state and local partners to protect our residents from bad actors who threaten the health, well‑being, and safety of New Haveners.”
Broader context
Connecticut law permits adults 21 and older to possess and consume cannabis, but sales are limited to licensed retailers who meet state testing and packaging standards. Despite the regulated market, state investigators continue to find illegal cannabis products in vape shops, gas stations, and other retailers, posing a health risk to children who might mistake these items for ordinary snacks.
The enforcement action against Anesthesia underscores the state’s commitment to upholding the regulated market and deterring unlicensed operators. Shaif is also required to cooperate with ongoing investigations into his suppliers and investors.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
