New York Gov. Proposes Crackdown on Unlawful Cannabis Shops

March 24, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is proposing legislation to crack down on unlicensed cannabis storefronts in the state, including fines of up to $10,000 per day for unlawful operations. The legislation would also give additional enforcement power to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Department of Taxation and Finance to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores engaged in cannabis sales without a license.

The new legislation, which is being introduced as a governor’s program bill in the Senate and Assembly, amends the state’s tax law and adult-use cannabis law to enable the OCM, the Taxation and Finance Department, and local law enforcement to enforce restrictions on unlicensed storefront dispensaries. The legislation does not impose any new penalties related to cannabis possession by an individual for personal use and does not allow local law enforcement to perform enforcement actions against individuals. 

In addition to the $10,000 per day fines, the legislation would allow fines of up to $200,000 for unlawful cannabis cultivation. 

In a statement, OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander entrepreneurs seeking to participate in the state’s legal cannabis industry “are being economically harmed by bad actors filling their storefronts with products that are questionable, unregulated and potentially dangerous.” 

The legislation would restructure current illicit cannabis penalties to give taxation department peace officers enforcement authority, create a manageable, credible, fair enforcement system, and would impose new penalties for retailers that evade state cannabis taxes, the governor’s office said. The proposal would also clarify and expand OCM’s authority to seize illicit product, establish summary procedures for OCM and other governmental entities to shut down unlicensed businesses, and create a framework for more effective cross-agency enforcement effort.  (Full Story)

In categories:Dispensaries State Bills
Tags:
Next Post

Judge tosses Arkansas marijuana dispensary applicant’s suit over scoring

A federal judge in Arkansas dismissed several claims by a medical marijuana dispensary applicant, including tortious interference and racial discrimination during the state’s license-evaluation process. According to Law360, U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. ruled that tortious interference doesn’t apply to the…
Read
Previous Post

Kentucky governor signs law establishing delta-8 guidelines

Kentucky’s governor signed a bill into law that establishes a framework to test, label and regulate delta-8 and outlaws sales to those younger than under 21. The bill, which was approved by the state’s Republican-led House and Senate, also bans possession for those younger…
Read
Random Post

Maryland House Advances Bill To Regulate Marijuana Sales As State Prepares For Voter-Approved Legalization

The Maryland House of Delegates has advanced an amended bill to create regulations allowing for adult-use marijuana commerce following voter approval of legalization last year. The legislation, sponsored by Del. C.T. Wilson (D), passed on a second reading on the floor…
Read
Random Post

Largest Cannabis Chocolate Bar Ever Made? Cannabis Edibles Producer's Treat To Celebrate 4/20

Zen Cannabis is poised to unveil "The Big Zen" — touted as the most extensive, potent, dominantly-dosed and expensive cannabis chocolate bar ever made. The Oklahoma-based company plans to unveil the 420-pound treat on April 20 (or as it's known colloquially as 4/20). The…
Read
Random Post

April 19 Bicycle Day Celebrates The First LSD Trip

While most people in the cannabis industry are gearing up for the high holiday of April, 20 or 420, our good friends in the psychedelic industry have their own day of celebration. It’s called Bicycle Day and it falls on…
Read
Random Post

Lawmakers pass bill to implement legal 'magic mushroom' industry in Colorado

An effort to roll out Colorado's legal psychedelics industry cleared its last major legislative hurdle on Saturday with the House's passage of Senate Bill 290.  If made law, the bill would help to implement Proposition 122, passed by Colorado voters in…
Read