By Chad Wade – Smoke Shop Defender, No-BS Truth Teller, and the Last Guy They Want Educating You
Let’s be clear:
They don’t want you to know your rights.
They want you to fold under pressure, close your shop, and disappear without a fight.
They don’t want you to know your rights.
They want you to fold under pressure, close your shop, and disappear without a fight.
But I’m not here to make lawmakers comfortable.
I’m here to make sure you don’t get bullied out of your business.
I’m here to make sure you don’t get bullied out of your business.
So let’s talk about the rights you have as a smoke shop owner — and the ones they hope you’ll stay ignorant about.
1. You Have the Right to Sell Legal Products — Even If They Don’t Like It
Politicians and agencies LOVE throwing around words like “dangerous” and “concerning” when they talk about your products.
But unless a substance is explicitly banned, you can sell it.
But unless a substance is explicitly banned, you can sell it.
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If Delta-8 is legal in your state? You can sell it.
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If kratom is unregulated? You can stock it.
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If your products are under the 0.3% delta-9 THC limit? You’re still federally compliant.
They might not like it — but the law’s the law.
Know your state codes. Keep printouts. Show you’re compliant.
2. They Can’t Just Raid Your Shop Without Probable Cause
You are not obligated to allow inspections or questioning without the proper authority. Period.
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If they show up without a warrant or formal inspection notice?
➤ Ask what agency they’re with.
➤ Ask what law or ordinance they’re enforcing.
➤ Ask for ID and documentation.
➤ Record everything.
You are running a business — not living in a dictatorship.
Never argue, but never surrender your rights.
3. You Have the Right to Contest Fines and Seizures
Did they:
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Fine you for mislabeled products?
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Confiscate inventory they think is illegal?
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Shut you down over a permit technicality?
You can fight that. And often win.
Most of the time, local officials are counting on your silence.
They assume you’ll just take the L and move on.
They assume you’ll just take the L and move on.
But when you appeal or push back with a lawyer — or even just paperwork — you’ll find many of these fines can be reduced, dropped, or overturned.
4. You Have the Right to Stay in Business While You Challenge the Law
Let’s say your city passes an ordinance that targets smoke shops.
Guess what?
Guess what?
Unless it includes specific language banning your operation immediately, you may have grounds to continue operating during litigation or appeal.
In some states, businesses have gotten injunctions to stay open while a law’s legality is being tested.
Don’t shut your doors before you consult someone who knows what they’re doing.
5. You Have the Right to Speak Out and Organize
You’re allowed to:
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Go to city council meetings
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Speak publicly about unfair enforcement
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Organize with other shop owners
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Launch petitions
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Challenge laws with real legal backing
And you SHOULD. Because here’s the secret they hope you never figure out:
They only pick on silent shop owners.
If you’re loud, visible, organized, and educated — you become a much harder target.
Know Your Power. Use It.
Print out your local laws.
Keep your licenses posted and up-to-date.
Train your staff to know how to respond to surprise visits.
Have a lawyer on call — or at least know one.
And most importantly, don’t fold just because someone with a clipboard tells you to.
Keep your licenses posted and up-to-date.
Train your staff to know how to respond to surprise visits.
Have a lawyer on call — or at least know one.
And most importantly, don’t fold just because someone with a clipboard tells you to.
Final Word (Real Talk)
This industry is under attack — and not because we’re doing anything wrong.
It’s because we’re easy to scapegoat.
It’s because we’re easy to scapegoat.
Don’t be the owner who gets steamrolled because you didn’t know your rights.
Be the one who pushes back — loud, legal, and fearless.
Be the one who pushes back — loud, legal, and fearless.
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back:
They don’t expect you to fight. So when you do — you win.
Need a free compliance checklist? Want legal resources?
Hit up ChadWadeTV.com and download the Smoke Shop Defense Pack — everything I’ve learned from years of running stores and dealing with city inspectors, health departments, and angry lawmakers.
Hit up ChadWadeTV.com and download the Smoke Shop Defense Pack — everything I’ve learned from years of running stores and dealing with city inspectors, health departments, and angry lawmakers.
You don’t have to run scared.
You just have to know your rights.
You just have to know your rights.