BREAKING: A shocking report from Montgomery County reveals that hundreds of unregulated smoke shops in the Philadelphia suburbs are misleading consumers by selling products that contain far more THC than advertised. The **10-month investigation**, led by district attorneys from **Montgomery**, **Bucks**, and **Chester counties**, uncovered that many stores are using fraudulent lab reports, leaving customers “dangerously uninformed” about what they’re consuming.
The **grand jury report**, released on **October 26, 2023**, highlights that over **90%** of the analyzed edibles, THC vapes, and loose flower products exceed federal standards. “What we found in a lot of them is they’re selling straight-up marijuana,” said **Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele** during a press conference following the report’s release. This alarming trend poses significant risks, especially to children, who are often targeted by these products.
Authorities conducted undercover purchases at smoke shops, testing the products, and found many were mislabeled or supported by dubious certificates. The report states, “This deception means that adults and children alike are exposed to substances whose potency and risks are hidden from view.” The findings are particularly concerning given that there have been at least **nine reported cases** in the past year where children fell ill after consuming these THC products.
Steele emphasized the troubling reality that these shops often sell intoxicants marketed towards children, with no age restrictions on purchases. “They’re selling illegal products without oversight, and without concern for the health of Pennsylvanians, especially without regard for the health of our children,” he stated firmly.
The **107-page report** calls for urgent action from state lawmakers, urging the establishment of **safety standards** and testing protocols at accredited labs. It also recommends imposing a **21-year age limit** for THC products and regulating their marketing as strictly as tobacco and nicotine. The report aims to create clear definitions for marijuana derivatives, preventing them from being sold under the guise of “legal hemp.”
With **240 smoke shops** now operating in Montgomery County—outnumbering local schools—Steele remarked, “People are hiding behind that, saying this is Farm Bill compliant.” The unregulated nature of these businesses has turned fuzzy federal hemp laws into a booming industry, raising significant public safety concerns.
Bucks County District Attorney **Jennifer Schorn** and Chester County District Attorney **Chris de Barrena-Sarobe** joined Steele in condemning these practices, describing them as “flagrant” and “unsustainable.” De Barrena-Sarobe noted that he has already executed **16 search warrants** in Chester County, leading to arrests and the seizure of over **$500,000** in cash from illegal operations.
Steele warned, “People that are selling drugs out of their stores — selling marijuana, that’s a felony. If you continue on in this way, plan on getting arrested.” The urgency of the situation is heightened by the backdrop of Pennsylvania’s ongoing budget standoff, which has stalled efforts to legalize recreational marijuana, a move that could enforce clear standards for cannabis sales.
The report’s release coincides with a joint letter from **Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday**, along with several state attorneys general, urging Congress to close loopholes that have allowed “intoxicating hemp-derived THC products” to proliferate in businesses prioritizing profit over public safety.
As authorities work to address these alarming practices, the report serves as a critical reminder of the need for regulation in Pennsylvania’s smoke shop industry. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant about the products they purchase, as the risks associated with unregulated THC products continue to escalate.
