NY Gov Proposes Huge Fines For Illegal Weed Shops

Gothamist reports:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing steep fines for stores selling weed without a license. The move comes as pressure builds to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops – something other city and state officials have struggled to do effectively.

The governor introduced legislation in Albany Wednesday that would clarify and expand the authority of the state Office of Cannabis Management, the Department of Taxation and Finance and local police to enforce cannabis and tax laws.

Under her bill, violations could result in fines of up to $200,000 for stores that have illicit cannabis products among their inventory. The state Office of Cannabis Management would also be able to fine stores $10,000 a day for selling cannabis products illegally.

Read the full article.

An estimated 1300 shops are selling unlicensed weed in New York City. So far only 16 shops across the five boroughs have been granted cannabis licenses.

The move comes as pressure builds to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops – something other city and state officials have struggled to do effectively.https://t.co/JwVvJRREux

— WNYC ? (@WNYC) March 22, 2023