NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) have taken enforcement actions against seven unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in Cayuga, Oswego, and Wayne counties.
These dispensaries were part of the unlicensed “I’m Stuck” chain and were illegally selling cannabis to underage customers. The Governor signed legislation granting the OCM and the Attorney General new powers to take action against unlicensed cannabis dispensaries as part of the FY24 Enacted Budget.
The “I’m Stuck” chain, which has eight locations across multiple counties, was selling cannabis without proper authorization from OCM and processing and packaging cannabis products without a license, posing significant health risks to consumers.
Despite repeated notices and orders to stop the illegal sales, the chain’s owner, David Tulley, continued to operate unlawfully. Investigators from the Office of the Attorney General observed store clerks selling cannabis products to underage customers on multiple occasions.
In addition to shutting down the “I’m Stuck” stores, Attorney General James and OCM seek penalties against Tulley, his companies, and the building owners where the stores were located for allowing the unlawful business to operate on their properties. The penalties could amount to millions of dollars.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of cracking down on illegal operators to protect the success of legal entrepreneurs and consumers who follow the rules. New York’s Cannabis Law requires anyone involved in cultivating, processing, or selling cannabis products to be registered and licensed by the New York State Cannabis Control Board. Unlicensed businesses sell products that are not lab tested, unsafe, and untaxed.
The enforcement actions come as part of New York’s efforts to build and expand the legal cannabis market while ensuring the safety of consumers and preventing underage access to cannabis products. By taking action against unlicensed operators, the state aims to establish an equitable cannabis industry that addresses past injustices while safeguarding public health and safety.