I want to start a business selling shisha tobacco and charcoals, and a few hookahs. Do I need a tobacco license? Are there any federal restrictions on selling in the US? I am not importing anything, all items are coming from the US. Thanks!
Your gonna need to check your state regulations on that cause the laws differ from state to state but not a bad idea at all.
if you sell it online its more of up to federal regulations that are more stricter then state laws, i had the same idea about selling water pipes online but its not allowed
Yes you need to have license to sell tobacco related item at US. There are many restriction such as not selling the cigarette to underage person. You better apply license with your local authority before start selling.
This is going to be a very risky business. And with your username here showing a number (420) that is linked to marijuana I would say you're starting a business that is doomed.
Why would it matter if he likes Marijuana (which I'd venture he does, with a name like "Diggity" [Dank] and 4/20) anyway? This is a hookah business. You're in no position to make such assumptions about people.
It matters because Hookahs, although used traditionally for tobacco, has a well known use for Marijuana smokers... If I were a Marijuana smoker, I would not want to have the local/state/federal government alerted to my habit by selling items that have links to the drug. "These are sold for tobacco use only" says PotSmoker420... It just seems like a dangerous game. I wouldn't recommend someone who has the ID ChildAbuser99 to open a daycare center either...
An online hookah shop isn't a bad idea but you will run a number of risks. Tommy Chong was busted by the DEA for shipping his wares to a state that bans these products. Actually there's more detail than that. He initially refused so the DEA agents actually purchased the products in one place and had them shipped into Pennsylvania so they could have him charged. Persistent buggers. Anyhoo, you're in a relatively safe legal grey area so long as you find out which states specifically out and out ban the products and refuse to ship to those states and as well, make sure to express that they are to be used for the consumption of tobacco products. Even then however, simply remember that your business is not favoured by your federal government and even as the Obama administration has come to power, the DEA is still raiding medical dispensaries allowed by state law despite a promise from Obama to stop these raids. Honestly, you can fly under the radar for quite some time and if you're very careful, the likelihood of you running afoul of the law is minimal unless you actually anger someone in government. If you're a legalization activist or some one who just generally likes to ruffle political feathers, you'll find yourself with a big invitation to law enforcement to bust you for some reason. If you're simply an enthusiast and entrepreneur, you're fairly safe. There is a risk to this type of thing and depending on what you view as being "worth it" to sell these products, it may be daunting or not. Be a good little toady and never hint at the potential for cannabis use with these products and you'll probably be alright. Be a guy with principles and state outright that people can smoke all the pot they want in a hookah...and you'll probably be alright for a while...but not a long while. This isn't legal or business advice but it is my personal perception. Cheers
No one uses hookahs to smoke pot out of, that is a myth. Once you try it, you realize how much you waste by using it. Why are people comparing hookahs to glass pipes? There is a huge difference. The 420 in my name is for my birthday.
No one needs to question whether or not his business is a good idea or not; that is not what he asked. Answer the questions the OP asked or don't post. Good luck with the business, OP. Keep the personal stash away from the companies!