New York regulators raid unlicensed marijuana stores, enact new rules

New York regulators have started seizing products and issuing violations as part of a statewide initiative to rein in unlicensed marijuana operators in one of several new developments aimed at jump-starting sales in the state’s adult-use market.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced the launch of a multiagency enforcement effort and the first product seizures in New York City, where as many as 1,400 unlicensed stores, trucks and bodegas are selling marijuana products.

Seven stores were issued violations for selling unlicensed marijuana products and ordered to cease operations, the New York Post reported. They also each face up to a $10,000 daily fine.

The alleged offenders were:

Enforcement officers from the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and Department of Taxation and Finance are inspecting storefront businesses not licensed to sell cannabis and issuing them “notices of violation” and “orders…