The smoke shop industry is on fire — and not in a good way.
If you’ve been sleepwalking through July, WAKE UP.
This week dropped a red-hot pile of compliance warnings, legal busts, backdoor bans, and high-dollar headlines — and if you’re not reading between the lines, your store’s next.
If you’ve been sleepwalking through July, WAKE UP.
This week dropped a red-hot pile of compliance warnings, legal busts, backdoor bans, and high-dollar headlines — and if you’re not reading between the lines, your store’s next.
This isn’t a newsletter. This is a field report from the front lines.
 ENFORCEMENT HEAT INDEX:Â
This week’s law enforcement pressure was brutal.
 Connecticut – Vape R Us Raided Again
New Haven’s “Vape R Us” got raided for the second time this year. Police snagged 13 pounds of illicit cannabis, proving that even if you survived the first sweep, they’ll come back for round two.
 Lesson: "We already passed inspection" means NOTHING if your backroom ain’t tight.
 Lesson: "We already passed inspection" means NOTHING if your backroom ain’t tight.
 Florida – Knife-Point Robbery at Smoke Shop
In Osceola County, a man in a ski mask walked in with a knife and walked out with your worst nightmare — cash and product.
Lesson: If your camera system sucks, if your staff can’t handle crisis, you’re a target — not a business.
Lesson: If your camera system sucks, if your staff can’t handle crisis, you’re a target — not a business.
 Michigan – Sterling Heights Raid Goes Quietly Loud
Exotixx Smoke Shop was the latest in a string of unpublicized local busts — proving not every raid makes headlines.
Lesson: Don’t wait for a press release. Assume they’re coming, even if no one’s talking.
Lesson: Don’t wait for a press release. Assume they’re coming, even if no one’s talking.
 COMPLIANCE SQUEEZE:
FDA, AGs & City Councils Are All Coming for Your Shelf Space
 Juul is BACK — But Only the Legal Stuff
FDA reinstated Juul’s tobacco and menthol-flavored devices.
 Cool for them.
 Bad news for you if you’re still slinging non-compliant mystery disposables.
 Lesson: If your vapes don’t have FDA clearance or proper labeling, get ready to eat fines — or inventory.
 Bad news for you if you’re still slinging non-compliant mystery disposables.
 Lesson: If your vapes don’t have FDA clearance or proper labeling, get ready to eat fines — or inventory.
 Arizona AG Drops the Hammer on Age Violations
Two vape shops in the Valley sold to minors in 80%+ of sting attempts. The AG is now shutting them down permanently.
 Lesson: One bad clerk will cost you everything. Staff training isn't optional. It's survival.
 Lesson: One bad clerk will cost you everything. Staff training isn't optional. It's survival.
 Richmond, VA: Zoning Assault on New Shops
New proposal to ban all new smoke/vape shops in most of the city.
 Lesson: Expansion dreams? You better check zoning laws before you sign your lease. These bans are spreading.
 Lesson: Expansion dreams? You better check zoning laws before you sign your lease. These bans are spreading.
 WHIP-ITS: THE NEXT LANDMINE
Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan — It’s Getting Real
You thought whip-its were safe? Cute little cream chargers on the counter?
Wrong.
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Texas lawmakers just introduced a bill to ban sales to under 21 and regulate large canisters like Galaxy Gas (22,000 hits per can).
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Pennsylvania reports that “culinary use” is a BS loophole — shops are pushing bulk nitrous with wink-wink disclaimers.
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Investigations found customers suffering from paralysis, nerve damage, and other serious issues tied to heavy use.
 Lesson: If you’re selling whip-its, have a policy. Have age checks. Have warning signs. Or get ready to be front page news when your customer collapses in your parking lot.
] THE GLOBAL RIPPLE
Australia's Vape Ban Proves One Thing: Bans Fuel Black Markets
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Australia’s “pharmacy-only” vape law has completely failed.
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Legal vape sales are flat.
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Black market sales = 10 million+ illegal units per month.
 Lesson: Any overreach here in the U.S. will do the same. And they’ll come after YOU for it. Stay legal. Stay documented. Stay locked-in.
 THE TAKEAWAY – IF YOU’RE NOT PARANOID, YOU’RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION
If your game plan is:
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Selling whatever’s hot with zero COA
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Letting employees ID-check “when they remember”
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Carrying psychoactives with no chain-of-custody
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Running security from a 2009 Best Buy DVR…
Then your store is a statistic in the making.
We are in a combat environment.
You need operational discipline, legal clarity, and street smarts.
You need operational discipline, legal clarity, and street smarts.
 ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK:
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 Audit your entire vape inventory. Anything not FDA-cleared? Nuke it.
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 Build or update your whip-it sales policy. Age, signage, limits. No exceptions.
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 Upgrade your store security. At least 3 angles of HD footage and 30-day recording loop.
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 Train your staff — again. On ID checks, what’s legal, and how to respond to enforcement.
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 Start tracking your local city council zoning discussions. Know before they vote.
 FINAL WORD FROM CHAD:
You ain’t just running a business anymore — you’re running a target.
Every product on your shelf is a potential liability.
Every lazy employee is a risk multiplier.
Every day you delay updating your ops is another day closer to being raided, sued, or shut down.
Every product on your shelf is a potential liability.
Every lazy employee is a risk multiplier.
Every day you delay updating your ops is another day closer to being raided, sued, or shut down.
But you got this.
Because the fact you’re reading this means you’re trying to stay ahead — and that’s what separates the players from the victims.
Because the fact you’re reading this means you’re trying to stay ahead — and that’s what separates the players from the victims.
— Chad Wade
ChadWadeTV.com
ChadWadeTV.com
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