Attorney General William Tong issued a public warning about unregulated and illegal cannabis edibles sold in packaging that mimics popular snack foods, posing significant risks to children through accidental THC overdose. The AG highlighted the dangers of these look-alike products and urged reporting, while noting that legal cannabis sales in Connecticut will enforce strict packaging standards.
In-house legal teams should review vendor, distribution, and retail partnership agreements with cannabis product suppliers or retailers. Key clauses to examine include packaging and labeling requirements (ensuring compliance with state standards that prohibit mimicry of snack foods), product compliance certifications (verifying adherence to THC concentration limits and child-safety rules), indemnification provisions (allocating liability for harm caused by non-compliant or illegal products), and termination clauses (for violations of packaging or distribution laws). Agreements may need amendments to mandate specific packaging designs, require third-party testing reports, include audit rights for product inspections, and explicitly forbid the distribution of look-alike products to protect against regulatory action and liability.
Entity
Unlicensed Cannabis Sellers
Industry
Other$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.