Attorney General Tong Announces Anesthesia Smoke and Convenience in New Haven to Remain Permanently Closed, Owner to be Barred from Business in the State of Connecticut, Must Pay $100,000 Following Repeated Violations of State Cannabis Laws

08/18/2026

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong announced today that Anesthesia Smoke and Convenience in New Haven will remain permanently closed and its owners will pay a $100,000 penalty following repeated violations of Connecticut’s cannabis laws.

“Legal cannabis is not a free-for-all. If you are unlicensed, if you sell bootleg, unregulated cannabis, we will find you and we will hold you accountable,” said Attorney General Tong.

“The purpose of the regulated cannabis market is to provide a safe space and rules for product testing and labels that help adult consumers make informed decisions,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “Businesses selling unregulated cannabis products often skirt other laws meant to protect consumers, including selling products to minors, and selling products that have not been properly tested.”

“Smoke shops that are selling cannabis illegally will be held accountable. Anesthesia Smoke Shop is now closed for good, and this should serve as a warning to other businesses: follow the law or there will be a steep price to pay,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “Locally, we’ve passed new laws regulating smoke shops and other tobacco retailers, and we will continue to continue to work with our state and local partners to protect our residents from bad actors who threaten the health, well-being and safety of New Haveners. I want to thank Attorney General Tong, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, and the New Haven Police Department for their collaboration on this enforcement action.”

Attorney General Tong first sued Anesthesia and its owner Fadhl Shaif in 2024 after multiple unannounced visits by investigators from the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Consumer Protection observed thousands of illegal high-THC products for sale without a necessary cannabis license. Anesthesia agreed to a $50,000 stipulated judgment, with $25,000 suspended if Anesthesia complied with a series of provisions, including a prohibition on Anesthesia and its owner from offering cannabis products for sale without a license. The store was also required to submit annual compliance reports.

After Anesthesia failed to submit its first annual compliance report, as required by the 2024 stipulation, Drug Control Agents from DCP visited Anesthesia on two separate occasions and reported the presence of hundreds of cannabis products – in clear violation of the stipulated judgment. New Haven Police Department participated in one of these inspections.

The Office of the Attorney General filed a motion for contempt on March 30 against Anesthesia and its owner. Attorney General Tong today announced a settlement of that contempt proceeding, forcing the permanent closure of Anesthesia and a permanent injunction against owner Shaif from owning or operating any business in Connecticut.

Shaif must cooperate with the state in ongoing investigations to identify his suppliers and investors. He is further obligated to pay $100,000 to the state, with an additional $125,000 suspended to guarantee compliance with the terms of the agreement.

Individuals age 21 and over can legally possess and consume cannabis in Connecticut. Cannabis products may only be sold in the regulated market and must meet rigorous testing and packaging requirements. Cannabis products sold outside of the regulated market continue to be illegal and may subject sellers to civil and criminal penalties.

Despite that, sale of illegal cannabis products continues in Connecticut. In unannounced visits to vape shops and gas stations, investigators from the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Consumer Protection continue to routinely find illegal cannabis products for sale, including blunts, marijuana flower, and edibles mimicking popular youth-oriented snack foods. Illegal look-alike cannabis products pose a unique health threat to children, who may unknowingly ingest high doses of potent psychoactive chemicals.

Assistant Attorneys General Addison Keilty, Michael Nunes, Katherine Hagmann-Borenstein, Allison Frisbee and Rebecca Quinn and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section assisted the Attorney General in this matter.

Twitter: @AGWilliamTong

Facebook: CT Attorney General

Media Contact:

Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov

Consumer Inquiries:

860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov

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