Two Bricks Town stores charged by police for selling illegal THC vaping products

Two convenience stores in Brick Township have been charged with selling illegal THC-containing vaping products.

Last week, Brick police filed a series of charges against the owners of Welsh Farms and Pantry Farm, both located on Route 88, related to the sale and distribution of THC vapes. The Treasury Department and the Division of Consumer Affairs also brought additional charges against the Brick stores for selling expired drugs and flavored vaping products. Licensed vape shops and dispensary owners say these black-market sales hurt businesses that follow the rules.

“It causes our sales to drop, and they don’t pay taxes, they’re not regulated or reviewed — nobody checks their numbers the way ours are checked. I just went through the tax audit process,” said Vincent MATtia, owner of NJ Vapor Vault.

Gianna Nitti runs Social Leaf Dispensary in South Toms River. She said customers sometimes turn to illegal THC products at convenience stores to avoid the stigma of entering a legal recreational dispensary. She said that creates other risks as well, such as not knowing what you are putting into your body.

“Consumers can come to stores like ours and buy products where they know exactly what’s in them. They don’t have to worry. They pay taxes on the products. They leave knowing they can legally carry those products within New Jersey,” Nitti said.

The state Department of Health and the state lottery enforcement division will continue the investigation.