On Monday, July 18, the Teaneck Police Department issued a media release reporting they had charged six township owners with the underage sale of vape and THC products. “After receiving complaints from residents about the sale of vape products to minors, detectives conducted an undercover operation,” said Chief of Police Glenn M. O’Reilly in the release. “Using a confidential underage person, they attempted to buy vape and or THC products. Every store that the underage person entered, was sold vape and or THC products without verifying their age.”

The six stores charged are Fog City Smoke Shop on Cedar Lane, Mr. RJ Smoke Shop on Queen Anne Road and iPuff Smoke Shop on Teaneck Road, which all sold flavored vape and THC edibles; All the Smoke on Cedar Lane, which sold flavored vape; Absalom on Degraw Avenue, which sold THC, possibly imitation THC; and Best Stop on Cedar Lane, which sold flavored vape and THC edibles.

O’Reilly continued in the statement, “In New Jersey, it’s unlawful to sell vape, THC or tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. In addition, New Jersey does not allow the sale of flavored vape products. As a result of the investigation, detectives seized over 6,000 pieces of unlawful flavored vape products, which is [sic] currently scheduled for destruction.” All store owners were charged with selling their products to a person under the age of 21, which violates N.J.S. 2C:33-13.1, a petty disorderly persons offense.

Several Teaneck residents expressed gratitude that the police department has addressed their complaints. “While the state continues to work through their legal process regarding the entire industry, I am thankful for the ‘21 Jump Street’ initiatives taken by the police to protect our children and students,” said Deputy Mayor Mark (Mendy) Schwartz, who is also co-publisher of The Jewish Link.

By Brooke Schwartz