Robberies Plague Cloudz Vape Shop Despite Legal Marijuana Industry

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
Jan.15.2024
Robberies Plague Cloudz Vape Shop Despite Legal Marijuana Industry
Cloudz Vape, a popular e-cigarette store in Seattle, has become a frequent target of robberies in recent months.

According to a report from KIRO News Radio, the Cloudz Vape e-cigarette store in the University Way district of Seattle has been targeted multiple times in recent months, including one incident involving the use of a stolen Kia car for a smash-and-grab style robbery.

 

Josh Young, the owner of Cloudz Vape, revealed that his store has incurred losses of approximately $5,000 in merchandise, with repair costs exceeding $20,000 for the storefront. Subsequent business losses are now eroding his profits.

 

Josh acknowledged that even though he had never considered himself a victim, he started feeling that way after Cloudz Vape was subjected to four consecutive cases of burglary. To make matters worse, he claimed that he witnessed juvenile offenders being released from prison at a faster rate than his store could be repaired, which led to concerns about the possibility of them striking again.

 

Currently, despite the legalization of marijuana in 18 states, banks and credit card companies remain cautious to cooperate with the industry due to its continued illegality at the federal level. Without the support of banks and credit card companies, the marijuana business heavily relies on cash, making them attractive targets for robbers.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Product | PMI Japan Expands ZYN by IQOS Strength Portfolio With Strong Series, Increasing Lineup to 12 Products
Philip Morris Japan (PMJ) has expanded the ZYN by IQOS oral tobacco pouch portfolio in Japan with four new ZYN Strong products, adding a third intensity level alongside the existing Low and Medium ranges. The Strong series first entered selected duty-free channels in Japan on July 1, 2026, before expanding to IQOS stores, the ZYN Online Store and selected tobacco retailers from August 18. The expansion increases the Japanese ZYN by IQOS lineup from eight to 12 products.
Aug.20
Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus Enters Japan’s FamilyMart Network With Zero-Nicotine NEO Line and Kishidan Campaign
Snowplus distributor H&S said the zero-nicotine, zero-tar NEO vaping line will begin rolling out across FamilyMart stores in Japan from September 14, 2026, excluding some locations. The DASH line will also be sold at selected FamilyMart stores in southern Kyushu and Okinawa. Snowplus simultaneously named Japanese rock band Kishidan as a brand ambassador, combining convenience-store distribution with a broader consumer marketing push in Japan.
Sep.15
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
FDA Grants PMTA Authorization to 11 ZYN ULTRA Nicotine Pouches, Bringing Total Authorized Pouches to 43
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products made by Swedish Match USA through the premarket tobacco product application pathway on August 21, 2026. Ten of the authorized products have a labeled nicotine content of 9 mg, while ZYN ULTRA Smooth was authorized at 11 mg. The reviews were conducted through FDA’s nicotine pouch PMTA pilot program. FDA has now authorized 43 nicotine pouch products, including 23 through the pilot.
Aug.24
China’s HTP Exports Fell 14.3% in H1 2026 as Russia and Belarus Accounted for 76% Lead
China’s HTP Exports Fell 14.3% in H1 2026 as Russia and Belarus Accounted for 76% Lead
In H1 2026, China’s HS 24041100 exports stood at $1.32 million, down 14.3% YoY, with volume falling 17.2% to 55.33 tons. Market distribution shifted drastically amid overall export drops. Exports to Russia and Belarus totaled $1 million, taking 76.0% of all shipments versus 29.5% in H1 2025. Belarus became the top destination with export value jumping 177.5%, while the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia’s combined share slumped from 49.3% to 11.2%.Domestically, Yunnan led exporter registrations; Jiangsu and Shanghai were key suppliers, yet Anhui and Sichuan had no exports. Heavy concentration means order or declaration changes for Russia/Belarus greatly affect national aggregate data. The data shows customs entry points (not end markets), covering tobacco consumables only, excluding heating equipment and the complete HTP supply chain.
Aug.11
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
2FIRSTS EXCLUSIVE|China Breaks Up $6.8 Million Illegal Hookah Tobacco Operation as Market Expands
Chinese authorities have dismantled an illegal hookah tobacco operation worth more than 46 million yuan ($6.8 million), detaining five foreign suspects and seizing over 500,000 boxes of tobacco paste. The case comes as hookah expands across China’s nightlife sector and attracts overseas operators, including former vaping entrepreneurs. It also raises a central regulatory question: whether waterpipe tobacco will follow China’s private-sector e-cigarette licensing model or be reserved for the state tobacco system, as with nicotine pouches, in the years ahead.
Jul.31
Smoore Wins Three Heated Device Supply Lots in China Tobacco Jiangsu’s Overseas Market Project Covering Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia
Smoore Wins Three Heated Device Supply Lots in China Tobacco Jiangsu’s Overseas Market Project Covering Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia
China Tobacco Jiangsu Industrial Co., Ltd. (JSIC) has completed its 2026-2028 heated device procurement project, with Shenzhen Smoore Technology Limited securing final supply contracts for three lots: U1, C1 and C2. The project was launched through a public tender in June 2026 to support overseas markets and involved heated tobacco devices carrying JSIC’s “iRod” trademark. Candidate supplier results published on July 13 showed Smoore ranked first for the three awarded lots, while Shenzhen Yunxi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Bodi Technology Development Co., Ltd. participated in the bidding process.
Aug.03