The Stockton City Council on Tuesday unanimously ordered a moratorium on smoke shops after hearing reports of tobacco products being sold to minors or stores carrying banned products, such as flavored vapes or cannabis-related industrial hemp.
The council’s 45-day moratorium includes a prohibition against new smoke shops as well as a ban on the expansion or relocation of existing ones. The order is meant as a holding pattern while the city considers tougher regulations.
Councilmembers complained that some smoke shops are too close to places where youth congregate, such as schools or parks. One business, for instance, is close to Edison High School, they said…