Office of Cannabis Management goes after illicit stores

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The State’s Office of Cannabis Management is going after stores they say sold untested products—52 of them, to be exact—some of them, in our area.

The Office of Cannabis Management publicly identified 52 illicit cannabis stores that were sent cease and desist letters, directing them to stop all illicit cannabis sales.

They say these stores falsely depict their operations as legal cannabis dispensaries, but they are not licensed by New York State and are selling untested products that put public health at risk.

“New York is building the most equitable cannabis industry in the nation, one that prioritizes those communities most harmed under cannabis prohibition. Stores selling unregulated cannabis products without licenses undercut those efforts. Plain and simple,” said Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer at the Office of Cannabis Management. “Illicit stores don’t contribute to our communities, they don’t support our public schools and they don’t protect consumers. That’s why we’re working with partners across government to investigate these operations and hold them accountable.”

Currently, there are no businesses licensed to sell adult-use cannabis in New York State. The only legal means of procuring safe, tested cannabis products is through the Medical Cannabis Program, where becoming a patient requires getting certified by a medical provider.

Cease and desist letters issued by the OCM Enforcement Unit can be read below:

Cease and Desist Letters Set 1 by News10NBC on Scribd

Cease and Desist Letters Set 2 by News10NBC on Scribd