New York’s Unlicensed Cannabis Fine Fiasco: $25M Remain Uncollected

New York’s ambitious crackdown on unlicensed cannabis retailers has hit a significant roadblock. Despite imposing over $25 million in fines since 2023, the state has barely recouped any of the levied amounts. This issue underscores the challenges faced by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration in its quest to eliminate illegal cannabis sales.

Enforcement Efforts Versus Reality

New York’s aggressive stance, spearheaded by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Department of Taxation and Finance intended to strengthen the legal cannabis market by penalizing unauthorized sellers. These efforts have been bolstered by greater authority granted to these agencies in 2023, leading to joint raids on shops flouting the 2021 cannabis law.

Despite these actions, the collected …

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