New York to Strengthen Enforcement Against Illicit Cannabis Sales

LOS ANGELES- Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and other state officials, announced a comprehensive five-point plan to address the unlicensed cannabis market in New York. This announcement, made on Friday, introduces stricter enforcement measures and new legal tools designed to curb illegal cannabis activities, which have become a significant issue across various neighborhoods.

The plan is set into motion with an aggressive approach termed the “padlock” strategy, where shops found in violation of state regulations could have their doors locked for up to a year. This immediate enforcement aims to disrupt operations that continue to profit despite fines and legal actions, which Governor Hochul criticized as ineffective and merely a cost of business for these entities.

Further steps in the plan include empowering local and county governments to enact similar enforcement laws, revoking related licenses like liquor and tobacco from violators, imposing hefty fines on complicit landlords, and establishing a statewide task force led by state police to combat the influx of illegal cannabis from other states.

The enforcement strategy is not only about penalization but also aims to support the legal cannabis market. Governor Hochul highlighted the importance of issuing more state cannabis licenses to help legal businesses thrive and undercut the illegal market. The plan, which will be implemented following the approval and signing of the state budget, is seen as a proactive move to uphold public safety, ensure consumer health, and maintain the integrity of the legal cannabis industry. Echoing this sentiment, Mayor Adams stressed that the initiative supports those adhering to the law, marking a step forward in the state’s cannabis legalization efforts.