The State Office of Cannabis Management has halted the holding of trials where judges could impose fines and penalties for illegal cannabis sales. This decision follows the agency’s recent crackdown on unlicensed smoke shops. The agency confirmed this change, citing a lack of resources and did not specify when these administrative trials would resume.
Interestingly, OCM’s Executive Director, Chris Alexander, mentioned that these hearings were accessible to the public and the press, despite the suspension. He also stated that the office is working on increasing staff levels and updating operational practices to address the safety and enforcement needs of the growing adult-use cannabis market.
Since June, the agency has taken 270 enforcement actions across the state, confiscating approximately $45 million worth of illicit cannabis. These actions typically involve armed agents from the State Department of Taxation and Finance, accompanied by unarmed OCM investigators who seize cannabis products and post signs declaring “ILLEGAL CANNABIS SEIZED” on the storefronts.
However, OCM has only conducted 26 trials since June, resulting in fines totaling $220,000, with 10 cases pending decisions.
This decision to suspend trials comes despite Governor Kathy Hochul’s efforts to combat the proliferation of unlicensed cannabis shops in New York by empowering OCM with enhanced enforcement authority. Hochul’s office stressed the importance of cracking down on illicit cannabis shops.
Additionally, OCM has not only paused hearings but has also withdrawn some cases, though the exact number of withdrawals remains undisclosed.
The rise of unlicensed cannabis shops in New York can be attributed to the lack of enforcement and a surge in demand since the state legalized recreational cannabis in March 2021.
In summary, the State Office of Cannabis Management has temporarily halted trials related to illegal cannabis sales due to resource constraints, despite Governor Hochul’s efforts to combat unlicensed shops. This decision has raised questions about the effectiveness of the enforcement strategy.
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