Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has launched a specialized enforcement team to purge illicit vapes and unregulated hemp products from retail shelves. Partnering with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC), the initiative addresses a previously unpoliced market that Jones described as the “wild wild west.”
The newly formed Regulated Products Enforcement Unit divides operational duties between state offices. The Attorney General’s office maintains an official registry of approved products, while Virginia ABC field agents conduct physical inspections at retail locations.
In addition to illicit liquid nicotine vapors, the unit targets unregulated THC, kratom, and hemp-derived products. When violations are identified, the team has the authority to pursue civil penalties, initiate legal action, and coordinate with other states to address multi-jurisdictional supply chains.
According to Jones, the primary goal is holding manufacturers and suppliers accountable to prevent hazardous products from reaching consumers. The unit also plans to collaborate with health professionals to monitor and counter emerging drug trends.
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