Springfield to crack down on sale of ‘gas station weed’

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Springfield officials held a press conference on Wednesday, sending a warning to local convenience stores. The city’s Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton Harris says they have a list of more than dozen establishments across the city selling synthetic cannabis, also known as gas station weed, which she describes as an extremely dangerous product

“Synthetic cannabinoids mimic delta nine and can cause psychoactive effects. Delta eight and delta nine are found naturally in cannabis, but in very small amounts, but can be chemically converted from CBD to synthetic cannabis and are sold in retail stores are sold in bodega are sold in many venues,” she said.

Caulton Harris says she’s not naming any names at this time, but she hopes this serves as a warning to business owners across the city to stop selling synthetic cannabis.

Research by the CDC and healthcare providers reveals that these products can cause a number of health risks. Including seizure, stroke, psychiatric hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and more, leaving city councilors worried for Springfield’s youth.

“They’re targeting our kids,” City Councilor Malo Brown stated.

The city’s Cannabis compliance coordinator Xavir Williams says he’s seen teens buying synthetic pre-rolls and other products at convenience stores across Springfield both while he was on and off the clock.

“I’m a single father and I worry for them just like I worry for all the children in the community who simply will be like, ‘hey let me get one of those gummies,’ not knowing that it’s synthetically enhanced,” he explained. Although they didn’t see the urgency at first, Springfield Police Deputy Chief Stephen Kent says the more he’s looked into it, the more he’s realized how dire the situation is.

“The shopkeeper handing out a free sample to a potential customer that’s classic drug dealer behavior, giving the first one away for free. I mean that’s been going on as long as people have been selling drugs,” he told us.

Still, the biggest worry officials have is that these products are both illegal and unregulated, meaning at this time stores face no repercussions for selling ‘gas station weed.’

“We are going to be the first community city or town to push for such aggressive legislation,” city solicitor Stephen Buoniconti claimed.

An ordinance is set to go in front of the city council soon and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno explained he plans to hit stores that don’t comply where it hurts – right in the wallet.

“I believe we will get their attention because if you walk into a place and there’s 100 products there or confiscating it and then you’re gonna get hit with $30,000 fine $300 per item,” he said.

Mayor Sarno says they did reach out to the Cannabis Control Commission in hopes that they would reinforce regulations on these illegal products. However, he says the CCC “punted on it,” though he assures us his administration will not.