Needham Board of Health Fines Speedway, 7-Eleven for Repeat Tobacco Sales Violations

NEEDHAM — May 15, 2026 — Needham Board of Health hits Speedway and 7-Eleven with fines and suspensions for repeat tobacco violations. The board voted 5-0 at its May 15 hybrid meeting to impose a $200 fine and 14-consecutive-day license suspension on each retailer after both were caught again during an April 29 nicotine-free generation compliance check — their second violation within the 36-month tolling window that triggers the heightened penalty. In each case, employees manually overrode point-of-sale lockout systems designed to block sales to anyone born on or after January 1, 2004; both companies said the employees had been terminated. The board also agreed to draft a letter to the Select Board urging an opt-out from recreational cannabis delivery under H.5350, a new state law signed by Governor Healey that automatically enrolls all municipalities in recreational delivery unless the chief municipal executive submits a two-year waiver to the Cannabis Control Commission. Board Chair Rob Wasserman argued the automatic opt-in "goes against the opinion that the town had already expressed through its legislative body," citing prior town meeting votes against recreational marijuana establishments.