Syracuse, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was in Syracuse to discuss the budget on Monday, doubled down on her frustrations with the way the state's cannabis regulators are operating. I'm not satisfied. I want more enforcement, I want to make sure that we are looking at leadership. I'm looking at opportunities to make major changes. This was part of her answer to CNY Central's … [Read more...] about Gov. Kathy Hochul looking at ‘changes’ in cannabis leadership, frustrated with rollout
The Empire Strikes Back
I-Team: Cannabis enforcement rules, abilities at state and local level
The Haven Coalition is still operating one week after police in the village released a laundry list of alleged problems the business is causing in North Syracuse. Police describe the joint as an "illicit cannabis dispensary," with the owner firmly disputing the claim. "The Haven Coalition is a private social club," Cody Gillum told CNY Central, "we're a place where people get … [Read more...] about I-Team: Cannabis enforcement rules, abilities at state and local level
NYC could shutdown thousands of illegal weed shops under new legislation
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York’s legal weed industry has struggled to get off the ground, while illegal shops have flourished, but a new piece of state legislation aims to change that. Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar (D-Queens) introduced the legislation Friday that would give localities more power to crackdown on illegal shops. Rajkumar estimated there are 1,500 illegal smoke … [Read more...] about NYC could shutdown thousands of illegal weed shops under new legislation
Syracuse’s Recreational Cannabis Industry Struggles Amid Licensing Bottleneck
Cannabis drying at 4 Erratic Farm, whose owner says he's sold very little product since entering the market. As New York continues to roll out a new round of recreational cannabis licenses, Syracuse still has only one legal dispensary, among just about two dozen statewide. However, there are ten times as many growers — 270 — in New York, and some are still struggling to find a … [Read more...] about Syracuse’s Recreational Cannabis Industry Struggles Amid Licensing Bottleneck
State Cannabis Agency Pauses Trials for Unlicensed Shops
The state Office of Cannabis Management has stopped holding trials where judges may recommend fines and other penalties for illegal sales — pausing consequences following its raids on unlicensed smoke shops. The state cannabis agency made that admission to THE CITY after repeated requests from a reporter to observe one of OCM’s enforcement hearings. The office attributed the … [Read more...] about State Cannabis Agency Pauses Trials for Unlicensed Shops
New York Cannabis Office Releases Fact Sheet To Battle Misinformation About Weed, Fentanyl
The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) published a two-page report entitled “Cannabis and Fentanyl: Facts and Unknowns” to demystify the facts and myths of the two substances, specifically that of fentanyl contaminating cannabis. “The goal of this fact sheet is to provide evidence where it is available, to share information about what is currently known and unknown, … [Read more...] about New York Cannabis Office Releases Fact Sheet To Battle Misinformation About Weed, Fentanyl
New York is cracking down on illegal weed stores as legal market struggles to take root
A pedestrian passes a smoke shop in New York City on June 16, 2023. New York authorities are cracking down on unlicensed smoke shops that are selling cannabis. New York officials are ramping up efforts to stop the statewide proliferation of unlicensed smoke shops selling marijuana, as the state struggles to boot up its legal marketplace. Since cannabis became legal in the … [Read more...] about New York is cracking down on illegal weed stores as legal market struggles to take root
Big Weed Is on the Brink of a Multi-Million Dollar Surge into New York’s Cannabis Market
In early 2017, there might not have been a flashier entrepreneur in the legal cannabis industry than Adam Bierman. In Los Angeles, his company, MedMen, had become known for its glossy red storefronts with sleek, minimalist interiors that drew comparisons to Apple Stores and the eyes of investors. California had already legalized weed, allowing his company to expand from the … [Read more...] about Big Weed Is on the Brink of a Multi-Million Dollar Surge into New York’s Cannabis Market
State lawmakers will hold public hearing in October about cannabis market rollout
ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State lawmakers will hold a hearing next month in Albany about the challenges to rolling out the recreational cannabis market. The State Legislature legalized recreational cannabis in March of 2021 but dispensaries have been slow to open, especially in the Finger Lakes region, because of multiple lawsuits. Last month, a State Supreme Court judge … [Read more...] about State lawmakers will hold public hearing in October about cannabis market rollout
New York Supreme Court Judge Lifts Injunction for Small Number of Cannabis Licenses
New York Supreme Court Justice Judge Kevin Bryant recently lifted a temporary injunction that previously halted approval for any state cannabis licenses on Aug. 25. However, only 30 licensees are currently affected by the decision compared to the statewide total of more than 400 applications that are still on hold. “As such, those licenses identified by the office of cannabis … [Read more...] about New York Supreme Court Judge Lifts Injunction for Small Number of Cannabis Licenses
