EAST HAVEN, CT — An East Haven smoke shop has been ordered to pay a record-setting $4.93 million in civil penalties for engaging in illegal cannabis sales, Connecticut officials announced this week. The fine, the largest of its kind in state history, was levied against Planet Zaza and its owner, Mohamed Alraishani, following months of investigations and a court order violation.
The Connecticut Attorney General’s Office, in a press conference Thursday, detailed how Planet Zaza continued to sell unregulated high-THC cannabis edibles and products after a November 2024 temporary injunction explicitly banned the activity. These products, often packaged to resemble youth-friendly snacks like Sour Patch Kids and Cheetos, raised significant public health and consumer safety concerns.
“Legal cannabis is not a free-for-all,” said Attorney General William Tong. “If you are unlicensed, if you sell untested, unregulated cannabis, we will find you and hold you accountable.”
The $4.93 million penalty stems from a lawsuit filed in January 2024 under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA). Despite legal warnings, Planet Zaza remained operational, incurring daily fines of $25,000 for each day of noncompliance.
Officials emphasized that Connecticut’s regulated cannabis market is designed to ensure safety and transparency. “Consumers should only purchase cannabis from licensed and compliant dispensaries,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli.
Planet Zaza’s actions, according to state officials, not only violated multiple statutes but also undermined public trust in the state’s emerging legal cannabis market. The Attorney General’s Office has pledged continued enforcement across Connecticut to prevent similar cases.
This ruling underscores Connecticut’s strict stance on illegal cannabis distribution and reinforces the importance of adhering to state regulatory frameworks.
