From Booze to Bud: How Liquor Stores, Gas Stations & Vape Shops Became Hybrid Smoke Shops
Description
Once clearly defined spaces, liquor stores and vape shops are rapidly evolving into full-blown hybrid smoke shops. In this episode, we dive into the shifting landscape of retail drug culture — where gas stations, vape shops, and even liquor stores are now selling everything from nicotine and Delta-8 to powdered THC and kratom. If you've ever wondered whether that new logo in the corner store meant more than energy drinks — it probably does.
The Tall Cop breaks down:
What vape shops used to be — and what they've turned into
How disposables, pods, and stash items have reshaped youth access
The growing presence of cannabis in places you'd least expect (yes, even next to the vodka)
Why the lines between alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis retail are blurring fast
What this trend means for public health, regulation, and access — especially among youth
****Don't forget about our 4th Annual Emerging Drug Trends conference coming up in Dallas in November!! Register now for the early bird rate!