News Releases

WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES WEEKLY ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN       

Announces new unit to protect Virginians, fights federal overreach, and spotlights Outreach Team 

RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit, which will centralize civil enforcement for liquid nicotine products (vapes), THC and hemp-derived products, kratom, and related emerging intoxicants. Also this week, Attorney General Jones fought back in court against federal overreach and stood up for Virginia consumers amidst the Nexstar/Tegna merger. The Office of the Attorney General also spotlights the community engagement work being done by the Outreach Team.  

Announces Regulated Products Enforcement Unit  

This week, Attorney General Jay Jones announced the creation of the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit which will oversee the administration and enforcement responsibilities around liquid nicotine vapor products, THC and hemp-derived products, kratom, and related emerging intoxicants. The unit will centralize these responsibilities within a specialized team dedicated to civil enforcement, retail compliance, directory administration, stakeholder engagement, and public education.   

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jay Jones Announces Creation of Regulated Products Enforcement Unit   

“New intoxicating products and substances enter the market every single day, many of which include dangerous or illegal ingredients and are deceptively packaged, labeled, and marketed to consumers. Many of these products even target children, causing irreparable harm to their lives and their futures. As a result, the health and well-being of everyday Virginians and business owners alike are put at risk,” said Attorney General Jones. “Thanks to landmark legislation passed by the General Assembly, this office has been empowered to protect and educate Virginians as the landscape around these substances evolves. We know that most businesses, retailers, manufacturers, and distributors want to follow the rules, and Virginians want to know what they are consuming. This new unit will educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law and put our communities at risk.” 

Richmond Times Dispatch: AG creates new enforcement unit for vape, liquid nicotine 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is creating a new enforcement unit in his office to aid a state crackdown on illegal sales of liquid nicotine to underage youth, as well as other unauthorized products by vape shops. 

Jones said the new "regulated products enforcement unit" will oversee sales of products containing liquid nicotine, as well as products containing THC and hemp, kratom and "other emerging intoxicants." The office will work closely with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, which already enforces laws against underage tobacco sales, under a law that the General Assembly adopted this year on illegal sales by vape shops. 

[...]  

Spokesperson Rae Pickett said the new unit would work in "close collaboration" with ABC, an independent state authority with expanding enforcement responsibilities beyond its traditional oversight of alcoholic beverages and illegal tobacco sales to minors. 

"This unit leverages expertise that already exists, both within the OAG and through ABC," Pickett said. "The enforcement expertise that they already exercise will help put us all on the same page and set us up for success in long-term enforcement." 

[...] 

Henrico police arrested eight people in searches at vape stores in Henrico and Richmond late last year. Police said they seized more than 60 pounds of marijuana worth more than $15,000, over 12 pounds of THC edibles, about $100,000 in cash, multiple firearms and vehicles. In Richmond, dozens of vape shops have been closed under "Operation Vaporize," which the city began late last year to crack down on violations of building codes and other safety regulations. 

The attorney general's office said its new unit will administer the current registry of authorized products, review certification of product manufacturers, evaluate product eligibility, monitor changes in federal regulation and ensure that only authorized products are sold in Virginia. 

The office said the unit also will conduct inspections to monitor compliance with the law and work with other regulatory agencies to identify potential violations, taking legal action to seek civil penalties "to uphold the law and protect consumers." 

WSLS: Attorney General Jay Jones launches new unit to police vapes, kratom and more 

What exactly is being sold inside Virginia vape shops? 

Well, according to the Attorney General’s office, some of the products contain dangerous or even illegal materials. That’s why they’re creating a unit designed to crack down on things like kratom, THC, and hemp-derived products and even things geared towards children. 

“We never associated all the dark problems, depression, everything with the green powder he was shaking in the water bottle,” Dean Francis, President and Founder of End Kratom Addiction, said. 

That green powder was kratom. 

Dean Francis says his son Cameron started using it in 2017 after seeing it advertised online as a natural supplement for focus and energy. 

“At first it did just that. Focus for school and energy for your workouts,” Dean said. 

At the time, Cameron was a student-athlete at Liberty University. But as his struggles grew, he eventually dropped out of school 

“In 2021, he wakes us up in the middle of the night, feels like he’s going to die, we rush him to the emergency room,” Dean said. 

Doctors quickly realized Cameron was in withdrawal but didn’t know what was causing it. 

The answer? Kratom. 

“Cameron is like, ‘I’m not on drugs.’ The doctor went back, looked it up, came back and said, ‘You have a really big problem, and you’re going to need some serious help,’” Dean said. 

Kratom like Cameron took is sold at vape shops across Virginia. 

The FDA warns consumers about potential risks, including liver toxicity, seizures, and substance use disorder. 

Now, Attorney General Jay Jones is stepping in — creating a new unit to target illegal and unsafe products being sold across the Commonwealth. 

“There are new and emerging threats that are happening constantly,” Jones said. 

Jones says some products are being marketed in ways that can appeal to children 

“They look like products that are normal, that we would all pass by and see; they look like gummy candies,” Jones said. 

Dean, who now runs the organization ‘End Kratom Addiction,’ says it’s putting the heat on these businesses. 

“It means a lot when an attorney general steps in. This is a predatory industry,” Francis said. 

Virginia Mercury: Virginia launches new unit targeting illegal vapes and intoxicants 

Virginia is creating an enforcement unit to oversee the rapidly expanding market for vaping products, hemp-derived intoxicants, THC and kratom, consolidating several regulatory responsibilities within the attorney general’s office.  

Attorney General Jay Jones announced the Regulated Products Enforcement Unit on Thursday, saying it will handle civil enforcement, retail compliance, product directories and public education as new intoxicating products continue to enter the market.  

Inspectors assigned to the unit will monitor retailers, conduct compliance checks and coordinate enforcement with the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority and other state agencies. The office will also be able to pursue civil penalties and other legal action against manufacturers, distributors and retailers accused of violating state law. 

WDBJ7: Attorney General announces Regulated Products Enforcement Unit 

Attorney General Jay Jones has announced the creation of a “Regulated Products” Enforcement Unit. 

Jones’ Office said the Unit’s job will look over the administration and enforcement responsibilities around liquid nicotine vapor products, cannabis/hemp products, kratom, and other related emerging intoxicants. 

[...] 

The Enforcement Unit will control and carry out the state’s Liquid Nicotine and Nicotine Vapor Product Directory as established by law, review manufacturer certifications and supporting literature, evaluate product eligibility, look over change changes in federal regulatory status, and work with regulated entities to be sure that only products approved are offered for retail in the Commonwealth, Jones’ Office said. 

The Attorney General’s office also said inspections, compliance monitoring and coordination with regulatory agencies, the newly created team will identify and prevent violations by manufacturers, distributors, and shops. 

NBC29: New enforcement team to target illegal vapes, other unregulated products 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has created a new team to target illegal vapes and other unregulated products on store shelves across the state. 

The Regulated Products Enforcement Unit will join forces with Virginia ABC to address the issue. The attorney general’s office will maintain an official product registry, while ABC field agents will conduct inspections at retail locations. 

The unit’s targets include unregulated liquid nicotine vapors, THC, kratom, and hemp-derived products. 

“You know the landscape was really like the wild wild west,” Jones said. “There was a patchwork system in place, but there really was no enforcement mechanism to really get out into the stores, get out into communities and really find and root out the bad products.” 

When necessary, the team can take legal action, seek civil penalties, and coordinate with other states to address widespread violations. 

Jones said the effort is aimed at holding manufacturers and suppliers accountable. 

“We’re holding manufacturers and suppliers accountable so that they’re not putting illicit and illegal products onto the shelves so that consumers are protected and they can go purchase a product and know that there’s no imminent danger or harm when they do that,” Jones said. 

The attorney general’s office said the unit will also work with health professionals and advocates to track and stop new drug trends. 

“This is a real step in the right direction to make sure that we have that piece of the puzzle in place and that we can step up and fight on behalf of Virginia consumers,” Jones said. 

Cardinal News: Notes from the Square: AG Jones creates a unit to oversee vape products, THC and more 

The attorney general’s office announced Thursday that it has created a unit to oversee the administration and enforcement responsibilities regarding liquid nicotine vapor products, THC and hemp-derived products, kratom and related emerging intoxicants. 

[...] 

He added that the goal of the new unit is to educate Virginians and ensure strong accountability for bad actors who violate the law.  

The unit plans to identify and prevent violations by manufacturers, distributors and retailers through inspections, compliance monitoring and coordination with regulatory agencies. 

WTVR: Virginia authorities to crack down on illegal vapes, THC and kratom 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has announced the creation of a new enforcement unit dedicated to cracking down on illegal vape products, THC and hemp-derived products, kratom and other emerging intoxicants sold across the Commonwealth. 

The new Regulated Products Enforcement Unit comes after the General Assembly passed the Democratic-led HB 308/SB 360, known as the Vape Enforcement Act, earlier this year. 

Fighting Federal Overreach 

The Commonwealth joined a coalition in a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration's to continued push to use federal funds—specifically, billions of dollars in federal counterterrorism and other emergency funds—as ransom to coerce states into complying with the administration’s political agenda. Part of this change requires states to transmit lists of all registered voters to The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to assist DHS in enforcing federal immigration law. 

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration’s Unlawful Conditions for Counterterrorism and Emergency Funding 

“Critical funding for emergencies and counterterrorism efforts is not a bargaining chip, and Virginia will not be threatened or bullied into sharing sensitive voter data with the federal government,” said Attorney General Jones. “Donald Trump knows that the People will hold him accountable at the ballot box less than four months from now, so he is doing everything in his power to undermine voters before they get to the ballot box. With these funding conditions, he’s prioritizing his partisan agenda over the health and safety of those he serves. We will not let this stand.” 

WDBJ7: Attorney General sues White House to prevent withholding of funds in exchange for VA voter data 

Attorney General Jay Jones, along with 26 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump White House to stop it from using federal funds to coerce states into “complying with the administration’s political agenda,” the Attorney General’s Office announced Monday. 

Jones’ Office alleges the White House is requiring states to transmit lists of all registered voters to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and to assist it in enforcing federal immigration law in exchange for federal funding. 

“Critical funding for emergencies and counterterrorism efforts is not a bargaining chip, and Virginia will not be threatened or bullied into sharing sensitive voter data with the federal government,” said Attorney General Jones. 

WSLS: AG Jay Jones joins lawsuit against Trump administration for attempted conditions for billions in federal funding 

On Monday, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the administration is conditioning states to change their election systems and help DHS with immigration enforcement for billions in federal funding. 

The lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island and now consists of a coalition of over 20 states. 

[...] 

Jones claims that DHS and FEMA are imposing conditions that would require states to “devote scarce law-enforcement resources to assist DHS in enforcing federal immigration law.” In addition, he claims the organizations are threatening to “withhold 20% of each state’s counterterrorism funding if states do not change state election law to conform to the administration’s policy goals.” 

The lawsuit argues that the conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution’s Spending Clause. 

13NewsNow: Virginia joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration over funding conditions 

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a coalition of 26 states in suing the Trump administration over new conditions tied to billions of dollars in federal counterterrorism and emergency preparedness grants. 

North Carolina is also part of the lawsuit. 

The lawsuit challenges requirements announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for fiscal year 2026 grant funding. According to Jones' office, the conditions would require states to share voter registration data with DHS, assist with federal immigration enforcement, and make changes to election procedures — or risk losing a portion of their funding. 

CBS19: Virginia joins Democrat-led lawsuit against FEMA, Homeland Security 

Virginia is a participant in litigation seeking relief from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security as the federal departments withhold money states use to fund counterterrorism and disaster response efforts. 

Virginia in 2023 received $8.7 million through the Homeland Security Grant Program and the Emergency Management Performance Grant. The federal taxpayer money is used for purchases such as equipment for bomb squads, active shooter exercises, cyberattacks, natural disaster response, assessment of flood risks, management of wildfires, and search and rescue. 

Protecting Consumers 

Attorney General Jay Jones joined a coalition of attorneys general in alleging that Tegna and Nexstar are violating a court order as their merger case is in court.  

PRESS RELEASE: Attorney General Jones Alleges Nexstar/Tegna are Violating Court Order 

“Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democracy, and the reality is the free press is under attack. Fewer local newsrooms mean fewer opportunities for the pursuit of the truth and reduced public accountability. This merger further jeopardizes journalistic integrity and independence of our media at time when it is needed most,” said Attorney General Jay Jones. “This office will continue to fight for consumers and for the people who rely on local news stations in communities across the Commonwealth.” 

The Roanoke Star: Virginia’s Attorney General Says Nexstar and Tegna Are Breaking a Court Order — and Roanoke’s Fox Station Is in the Middle of It 

A fight over the biggest pending deal in American local television has a Roanoke address. Attorney General Jay Jones has joined a bipartisan coalition of 13 attorneys general alleging that Nexstar Media Group and Tegna are violating the court order that is supposed to keep them operating as separate companies while their $6.2 billion merger is challenged. 

[...] 

Nexstar is not a distant corporate name in this market. It owns WFXR, the Fox affiliate serving Roanoke and Lynchburg, along with Lynchburg-licensed CW station WWCW. Whatever happens to Nexstar’s ownership structure happens to two of the stations on our own dial. 

[...] 

Behind the procedural language is a straightforward question about how many owners local television has left. The states brought the underlying suit to block a combination they argue would concentrate too much of the country’s local broadcast market in one company — with consequences for what viewers pay through their carriers and how much genuinely local programming survives consolidation. 

Augusta Free Press: State AGs fighting merger of Trump-friendly broadcast companies Nexstar, Tegna 

A bipartisan group of state AGs is raising issue with the efforts of broadcast companies Tegna and Nexstar Media Group to continue toward a merger in violation of a preliminary injunction issued earlier this year. 

The injunction was issued in a court challenge to FCC chair Brendan Carr, who wants to change a federal rule that bars a single multimedia company from reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. households, so that the Trump-friendly folks at Nexstar can buy out the Northern Virginia-based Tegna, in a move that would give Nexstar reach into 80 percent of U.S. households. 

Community Outreach  

The Office of the Attorney General’s Outreach team is the local point of contact for communities across the Commonwealth. Coordinators and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) connect with residents and local leaders, educating and informing Virginains on the resources and work being done by the Office. 

Each year, the OAG partners with local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth to host “Virginia Rules” camps. These camps offer young people fun, interactive instruction on Virginia’s law and build positive relationships between local law enforcement and campers. Thank you to this year's host agencies, participants, and our Community Liaison Officers!  

Also this month, TRIAD Coordinator Ben Bickel gave a presentation to the King George TRIAD meeting about the work the Virginia Medicaid Fraud and Control Unit is doing across the Commonwealth. Thank you to King George for inviting the office to educate their seniors on how to report Medicaid fraud and elder abuse in their community. 

Report suspected incidents of Medicaid fraud to the Office of the Attorney General’s MFCU Unit 

Call: 1-800-371-0824 or  

(804) 786-2071 

Email: MFCU_mail@oag.state.va.us 

Publsihed on: July 31, 2026

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