Two Ross Township vape shops have been ensnared in a law enforcement crackdown as local police teamed up with Allegheny County detectives to unearth a purportedly large illegal marijuana operation. The operation, under scrutiny at Smoke World and Vape on the 4800 block of McKnight Road and Powerful Smoke on the 7300 block of the same road, was exposed following search warrants executed last Friday.
Officials seized an estimated 2 kilograms of marijuana, a smattering of illegal THC products, psilocybin-infused goods, and a sum exceeding $9,000 in cash, as reported by WPXI. County police, in the midst of this ongoing investigation, are liaising with the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office to discern further action; however, charges have yet to materialize against individuals involved as of today.
Ross Township commissioners are no strangers to the issues surrounding vape and smoke shops, as they have grappled with regulation efforts in the recent past. A primary focus has been on limiting the number of shops, applying a minimum distance requirement between them, similar to what was established for medical marijuana businesses, according to details from a TribLIVE article.
Amidst the regulatory discussions that commenced in September, there was a noted 10 vape and smoke shops along McKnight Road. The vibrant and eye-catching signage used by these businesses has also sparked concerns within the community, prompting talks on revising sign regulations. While specific regulatory measures are still under deliberation, Commissioner Denise Rickenbrode indicated the matter remains a work in progress, unable to provide immediate comment on the unfolding police investigation.
