Eapen Thampy’s Post

🚨 FDA Issues Warning Letters to the likes of ELFBAR and other Online Retailers for Unauthorized E-Cigarette Sales 🚨 Unsurprisingly, The FDA has recently issued warning letters to 61 retailers, targeting the sale of unauthorized e-cigarette products, particularly highlighting brands like Elf Bar and Hyde. These brands have seen a surge in popularity among youth, which is understandable as the majority of states still allow the sale of single use flavored e-cigarettes. But can you really blame teenagers for not seeing the danger in something that tastes like "peach ice". These warning letters are the latest in FDA’s ongoing efforts to address the marketing and sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes that appeal to youth. #ecigarettes #FDA #regulatoryaffairs #clinicaltrials #pharmaceutical #lifescience https://lnkd.in/d3y7KsDY.

In a string of robberies, several cannabis retail shops have reported various tactics criminals have been using to get into their businesses in recent months. As these get worse, lawmakers are cranking up the punishments for people involved in such violent crimes. #CannabisCommunity #MedicinalCannabis #cbd #thc #sativa #indica #dispensary #weed #WEEDSLISTS.COM #cannabisadvertising #cannabisnews #cannabismarketing #420 #cannabisculture #MarijuanaAdvertising #cannabiz #marijuana #cannabis #dope #pot

How P.U.S.H. is Combating Counterfeiting with Laava's Smart Labelling Technology Counterfeiting has had a major impact on cannabis-based product manufacturer P.U.S.H. To protect their brand and consumers, they’ve partnered with Laava to implement tamper-proof Laava Smart QR codes. These secure labels allow users to verify product authenticity and avoid unsafe counterfeits, which are a serious health concern in the vaping industry. Learn how P.U.S.H. is using this technology to build stronger customer loyalty and enhance safety in a growing $15.9B market. Lindsay Doherty, MBA, Paul Vitali, Tony Belasco, Thibault de Gaulejac, Victor Silveira, Shannon Malooly, Harvey Kaplan, Marc Vezina #brandprotection, #laava https://lnkd.in/guudM-ii

USA: FDA Takes Action Against Unauthorized E-Cigarettes Promoted at Industry Trade Show “FDA conducted investigations and has issued warning letters to six retailers and manufacturers for selling or distributing unauthorized e-cigarette products. Regulated entities must comply with all applicable requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Under these requirements, the sale and distribution of unauthorized tobacco products is illegal, including at industry events such as trade shows or expos.” FDA also announced the issuance of warning letters to five online retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products popular with youth, including products marketed under the brand names Breeze, Mr. Fog, and Raz. Results from the recently released 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that Breeze and Mr. Fog were among the top five most commonly used brands among youth who use e-cigarettes. Additionally, Raz was identified as a popular brand through routine surveillance, with youth-appealing flavors such as sour mango pineapple and razzle dazzle. Agency Also Clamps Down on Online Sale of Two of the Top E-Cigarette Brands Used by Youth

USA: Iowa Vape Companies Sue to Block PMTA Registry Law "An Iowa vaping industry association, along with several individual businesses, has filed a lawsuit to stop the state from enforcing its PMTA registry law, which is scheduled to begin in February 2025. The law would shut down most or all specialty vape stores in the state.  Like most PMTA registry bills, Iowa’s HF 2677 was created and promoted by one or both of the tobacco companies Altria and R.J. Reynolds to protect sales of cigarettes and their own ineffective (but FDA-authorized) vaping products. It creates a registry of vapes legal in the state, which is intended to make enforcement against “unauthorized” products simpler. Bill HF 2677 was passed last April by Iowa legislators, and signed into law in May by Governor Kim Reynolds. If enforcement of the new law begins as scheduled in February, consumers in Iowa will no longer have legal access to vape products except those few with FDA authorization and those with premarket tobacco applications (PMTAs) still under review by the agency. The law also bans the sale of all products made with synthetic nicotine unless already FDA-authorized (none are), and—unlike many similar registry laws—does not exempt products with marketing denial orders (MDOs) currently under appeal in federal court." https://lnkd.in/gD4Mm_Fy?

🛒 The Secret Shopper Trend in Cannabis Retail: What You Need to Know 🤔 A new trend is emerging in cannabis retail compliance: secret shoppers. Whether required by regulation or implemented by licensees to ensure standards are met, secret shoppers are becoming more and more common in cannabis dispensary operations. These mystery shoppers are used to uphold critical security and compliance standards, such as age verification and product quality, making them a valuable addition to the evolving cannabis industry. Read on to learn more about the role of secret shoppers, the states that mandate their use, and how dispensaries can leverage this approach to protect their businesses and communities. Read the full article here - https://bit.ly/4e5nihr #CannabisRetail #SecretShopper #CustomerExperience #Compliance #CannabisIndustry #SapphireRisk

My latest for @nchealthnews on child advocates' concerns about what else is being sold in vape shops (and at other retailers):

"Those other shops that are getting shut down are selling tobacco products and that's what gets them," said Cody, a worker at Sovereign Toke who didn't want CambridgeToday to use his last name. "If the cops came and shut us down it would open up a can of worms they aren't ready for." UHHHHH..... While it certainly doesn't help when cannabis stores apparently not operating within federal or provincial law are also found to be possessing illegal and non-stamped tobacco, and recent enforcement actions against such stores may have uncovered tobacco (and/or 'harder' drugs than cannabis... and sometimes guns), Cody is wrong. The Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team does not concern itself with tobacco. It concerns itself with cannabis. Sure, while when there is apparent alleged illegal activity the more it will catch law enforcement's attention, and the more organized crime is thought to be involved (and thus potentially other illicit activity) the more attention it will be given, it doesn't give these stores a free pass. The only reason one or another unlawful store (that is not on a reserve) have not been raided yet is due to (1) lack of resources and (2) lack of co-operation with the respective municipality. No court case has authorized the retail sale of cannabis except in accordance with provincial or federal law. Sovereignty-based claims in respect of retail cannabis sales have not been accepted by Ontario courts. If I were a multi-store operator not operating in accordance with provincial or federal law, I would be worried. And hey, it looks like Sovereign Toke has multiple locations!

VAPE REGULATIONS 2024 AFTER MARCH 1: The Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024, introduced to parliament on March 21 by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, needs to pass through Parliament to enforce the following: - Retail vape sales ban starting July 1, prohibiting tobacconists, vape stores, and convenience stores from selling non-therapeutic vapes. - Ban on importing, manufacturing, supplying, and commercially possessing disposable, single-use vapes and non-therapeutic vapes. If the bill passes, illegal vape manufacturers and suppliers could face fines up to $2.2 million and seven years of jail time. - Additional penalties for importing, manufacturing, supplying, advertising, or possessing vaping products contrary to regulations/law, including fines and prison time. - If this bill passes through Parliament, vape stores will have to close to the public from July 1. BILL PROGRESS The Vaping Reforms Bill was debated in Parliament on March 27, with many Ministers expressing support or opposition. The bill was referred to a Senate Committee of Inquiry to determine if Australia should proceed with the proposed bill and prescription-only model or move towards regulating vapes like cigarettes. The committee received around 300 public submissions and held two public hearings, calling witnesses from those who submitted feedback. The Senate Inquiry Report was published on May 8: - The majority recommended passing the bill. - National Party Senators published a 'Dissenting Report,' opposing the bill and recommending regulation similar to tobacco products. - The bill must now be voted on by Senators in the June parliamentary sessions. - Dr. Colin Mendelsohn's recent blog post detailed each politcal party's positions on the bill and the next steps that will determine its future. The National party opposes it, the greens wish to amend it, some independents will vote against it and the labor party supports the bill. (Summarising his opinion: it's currently about 50/50 in support or opposition of the Reforms Bill. Also stating he is cautiously optimistic. This may be determined by political back door deals and then if not, the greens will likely decide the result). A longer post detailing the laws is available on Facebook now. I will update you with any further information as it presents.