A hookah shop in Detroit was forced to close its doors after police uncovered illegal sales of marijuana to minors, including a 15-year-old boy, reports FOX 2. The establishment, known as Detroit Hookah, located on East Seven Mile Road, was allegedly involved in these illicit activities which were brought to light by a grandmother's grim discovery and her proactive steps to gather evidence.
After suspecting the involvement of the local hookah shop in selling weed to her minor grandson, Vivienne Miles-Jackson sent him back to make an additional purchase, this time capturing it on video, and effectively tipping off the authorities, the Detroit Police Department's Vice Enforcement unit then revealed they had recovered over 11,000 grams of marijuana from the location. Principal Bryant Tipton of Pershing High School, situated across from the controversial shop, expressed his relief, stating, "It feel great, it’s like christmas" and emphasizing the sentiment that, "Our kids don’t deserve to be poisoned," as conveyed in a statement obtained by FOX 2.
The decision to shut down the hookah shop aligns with Detroit's recent city ordinance aimed at curbing similar incidents, as noted by clickondetroit. Councilman Scott Benson highlighted the new regulations stating, “Hookah bars and hookah tobacco shops seem to have a negative impact in our neighborhoods,” and that the community now holds decision-making power regarding the presence of such establishments in their vicinity. Although Detroit Hookah was grandfathered in, this incident may trigger changes in its operational status moving forward.
Darryl Woods, Detroit police Commissioner, reinforced this tough stance against shops peddling drugs to youth, "It was just so callous for you to just sell this child some dope that could kill him," he told WXYZ. Woods also alluded to the danger that contaminated marijuana poses, raising the possibility of substances like fentanyl being mixed in with the weed, Principal Tipton from Pershing High School also voiced his concern, stating “They wouldn’t do this out in the suburbs but they come here on 7 Mile and Ryan and think they can get away with it but today it ends,” demonstrating his advocacy for a safer school and community environment. The owner of Detroit Hookah declined to comment, the shop will remain closed until further notice.
