The owner of a smoke shop in Cortland has been arrested on charges of selling THC vape pens to underage buyers, according to the City of Cortland Police Department.
The police initiated an investigation at the Cortland Jr./Sr. High School after receiving multiple complaints of persons under 21 in possession of THC vape pens. THC vape pens are similar to electronic cigarettes, but instead of nicotine, they contain cannabis concentrate. Using a THC vape pen can cause the level of intoxication equivalent to smoking high potency cannabis.
The police found that the THC vape pens were purchased by teenagers, as young as 13, from the All In One Market, located at 23 Clinton Ave. in Cortland. The police then conducted a sting operation where an officer witnessed minors purchasing THC vape pens without being asked for identification.
The sale of THC vape pens to persons under 21 years old is illegal under New York State Law. Additionally, there is a local ordinance in the City of Cortland restricting the sales of any THC or cannabis-related products other than by businesses that are legally licensed by the state.
Abdulla Saleh Omar, the owner of the smoke shop, was arrested for the unlawful sale of cannabis and for violating the local Cannabis Dispensary Act. He was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Cortland City Court on March 3.
Due to several sales of THC vape pens to underage buyers and for selling THC vape pens out of the proper district without a NYS license, the City of Cortland Police Department confiscated all the THC Vape Pens, refill cartridges, and concentrated cannabis from the All in One Market. The confiscated products have a retail value of over $59,000.
The investigation is ongoing, and any further complaints of this nature will be investigated by the City of Cortland Police Department.
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