Attorney General William Tong announced a stipulated judgment with HighBazaar organizers Joseph Accettullo and Cody Roberts today, putting an end to the illegal, unlicensed cannabis markets. The judgment enforces a series of stringent obligations related to ongoing inspections and restrictions on advertisements.
Accettullo and Roberts are required by the judgment to make clear and conspicuous disclosures at HighBazaar events and in any advertisements that the sale, distribution or exchange of cannabis will be strictly prohibited. All prospective vendors must be notified in advance, and they must acknowledge in writing that they will not sell, offer, distribute, or exchange cannabis at any HighBazaar event. Additionally, anyone under 21 is prohibited from attending HighBazaar events. The Office of the Attorney General has been granted the right by the stipulated judgment to enter and inspect HighBazaar premises at any time to ensure compliance with the agreement.
The agreement includes a $20,000 penalty which will be suspended if Accettullo and Roberts comply with all terms of the judgment.
“HighBazaar operated unlawful cannabis markets where vendors peddled untested, illegal products. Not anymore," said Attorney General William Tong. "This stipulated judgment forces a series of strong, ongoing obligations, including clear and conspicuous disclosures and acknowledgements that the sale, distribution and exchange of cannabis will be strictly prohibited at any HighBazaar event. We will be watching closely—including unannounced inspections—to ensure strict, ongoing compliance.”
In January, Attorney General Tong issued cease-and-desist letters to High Bazaar’s organizers and Hamden landlord. He warned them that their events involved illegal marketing and sale of cannabis outside regulated markets accessible to individuals under 21 years old. The letters also cautioned that these markets seemed to violate Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (“CUTPA”), Responsible and Equitable Regulation of Adult-Use Cannabis Act, among other laws and regulations.
Despite these warnings, HighBazaar continued to advertise bi-weekly events online at a new location in Hamden. Attorney General Tong then sought a court injunction, which resulted in HighBazaar cancelling its advertised events.
The Office of the Attorney General had also previously sent notice to EventBrite, which HighBazaar used to promote its markets. The letter warned that such posts violate EventBrite’s own Community Guidelines and that the events they promoted also violate Connecticut law. The Office of the Attorney General has an active and ongoing investigation into EventBrite’s continued marketing of unlicensed cannabis markets in Connecticut.
Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan Blake and Addison Keilty, along with Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section, assisted the Attorney General in this matter.