(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)
1. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 1/05/26) License required. A person may not engage in retail tobacco sales or in free distribution of tobacco products in the ordinary course of trade in this State without a valid license issued under subchapter 1.
1. (TEXT EFFECTIVE 1/05/26) License required. A person may not engage in retail tobacco sales in the ordinary course of trade in this State without a valid license issued under subchapter 1.
2. Penalties. The following penalties apply to violations of this section.
A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a sentencing alternative involving a fine of not less than $300 plus court costs and not more than $500 plus court costs. The fine and costs may not be suspended. The court also may impose a sentencing alternative involving a term of imprisonment of not more than 30 days.
B. A person who violates subsection 1 and, at the time of the violation, has one prior conviction for violating this section commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a sentencing alternative involving a fine of not less than $500 plus court costs and not more than $1,000 plus court costs. The fine and costs may not be suspended. The court also may impose a sentencing alternative involving a term of imprisonment of not more than 60 days.
C. A person who violates subsection 1 and, at the time of the violation, has 2 or more prior convictions for violating this section commits a Class E crime for which the court shall impose a sentencing alternative involving a fine of not less than $1,000 plus court costs and a term of imprisonment of 60 days. The fine, court costs and term of imprisonment may not be suspended. The court also may impose as a sentencing alternative an additional term of imprisonment of not more than 4 months.
3. Strict liability. Violation of this section is a strict liability crime as defined in Title 17‑A, section 34, subsection 4‑A.
4. Prior convictions. Title 17‑A, section 9‑A governs the use of prior convictions when determining a sentence.