Hochul Proposal Aims To Crack Down On NY’s Unlicensed Cannabis Storefronts
March 28, 2023New York governor Kathy Hochul is proposing new legislation to crack down on unlicensed cannabis stores, which have proliferated widely in recent months. The proposal would amp up fines against the illicit sellers and make it easier to shut down shops entirely. There are around 1,500 unlicensed cannabis retail locations in New York City at present, according to mayor Eric Adams and the city’s sheriff’s office, versus just three legitimate stores open for business.
“Over the past several weeks I have been working with the legislature on new legislation to improve New York’s regulatory structure for cannabis products,” Hochul said. “The continued existence of illegal dispensaries is unacceptable, and we need additional enforcement tools to protect New Yorkers from dangerous products and support our equity initiatives.”
Under the new plan, selling cannabis without a license could incur fines of $200,000 and allow the Office of Cannabis Management to fine businesses $10,000 per day. State senator Liz Krueger, one of the chief architects of New York legalization, agreed in spirit with reining in the illicit market but cautioned that changes will be needed to Hochul’s proposal before it makes it to consideration by the legislature.—Danny Sullivan
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