Gov launches review of state cannabis agency

Gov launches review of state cannabis agency

Governor Kathy Hochul ordered a review of the state’s Office of Cannabis Management amid the agency’s troubled legal weed rollout. Officials hope the audit officials can better the process of creating the state’s legal marijuana market, which the governor has previously called a “disaster.”

Read More

Gov calls for broader enforcement against illegal pot shops

Gov calls for broader enforcement against illegal pot shops

Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday renewed her call for increased enforcement against illegal cannabis shops and announced steps to broaden the state’s enforcement through a proposal first introduced through her state budget plan last month.

Read More

Queens community boards say pot shop approval process is hazy

Queens community boards say pot shop approval process is hazy

For the past year, community boards throughout New York City have been tasked with serving as one of the first reviewers of those attempting to sell legal marijuana in the five boroughs.  But the boards, which serve as the lowest level of local government, have been pushing back, rejecting a number of potential pot shops.

Read More

City Council takes on illegal smoke shops

City Council takes on illegal smoke shops

A new city law in response to the scourge of illegal smoke shops went into effect this summer, and on Monday, the Queens councilmember who sponsored it and other officials discussed how the new law will work. 

Read More

'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

'The War on Smoke Shops': Officials agree, illegal pot enforcement is needed, but how is it working?

Most officials agree – in order for the legal cannabis market to thrive, the unlicensed market must be tampered down. But enforcement of the unlicensed market has ruffled feathers on both sides of the issue – some have pushed for greater enforcement, while others say the current tactics mirror the enforcement of the failed war on drugs that marijuana legalization in New York State was aimed at rectifying.

Read More