Unlicensed cannabis shops are a prominent and rising issue. Unlicensed dispensaries sell untaxed and unregulated cannabis products that delegitimize the system that Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act and the Office of Cannabis management have established for legalized adult-use cannabis.

Legislation has been signed into law that Assembly Member Seawright cosponsored and supported to passage this session to expand the powers of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Department of Taxation and Finance to crack down on unlicensed cannabis dispensaries. There is now more power to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores that are engaged in illegal and unlicensed sales and activities.

The OCM can now seize products and seek injunctions to close illegal shops, and the Department of Taxation and Finance can inspect businesses and issue fines of up to $20,000 per day for illegal sales.

The current licensed dispensaries are listed here: https://cannabis.ny.gov/dispensary-location-verification

You can report unlicensed activity by sending an email to enforcement@ocm.ny.gov or through the NYC311 website. Through NYC311, you can fill out an online form that is directed to the OCM under the “Cannabis Retail Sales Complaint” page. Don’t hesitate to contact our office to follow up on your report.