On March 31, 2021, the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law, legalizing cannabis in New York State. With the mission of creating a regulatory framework that supports equitable licensing, economic development and public health and safety, the Enforcement Division plays a critical role in making sure the rules apply to everybody. The current enforcement efforts protect the integrity and investment of entrepreneurs in the legal market, while holding accountable individuals selling illegal, untested and unsafe products to communities across the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul recently unveiled the strongest set of policies enacted thus far to tackle the illicit cannabis marketplace as part of the FY25 Budget. This initiative provides the Office of Cannabis Management and local counties and cities with enhanced authority to act against illicit cannabis storefronts and those who enable them.
This initiative in collaboration with the OCM Enforcement Division is comprised of highly trained, sworn law enforcement investigators, as well as analysts and civilian support staff, the team’s vital, collaborative work involves investigating all violations related to the Cannabis Law and OCM regulations. Additionally, the team conducts background checks on license applicants and partners with local law enforcement to investigate and pursue cases related to cannabis violations.
“Strengthening New York’s equitable cannabis industry and protecting the hard-working small business owners operating in the legal market are top priorities, and the best way to accomplish those goals is by expediting the shutdown of unlicensed shops.”
– Governor Kathy Hochul
The Office of Cannabis Management Enforcement Division, upholds New York’s cannabis laws and regulations. We support the integrity of the legal cannabis market through:
The New York State Illicit Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (ICET) is a coordinated, state-wide inter-agency effort launched to shut down illegal and illicit cannabis businesses that threaten public health and safety; the social and economic equity efforts of OCM; and the sustainability of the licensed cannabis market. The following stakeholders are engaged in the effort and are working alongside our partners in local law enforcement and city and county government statewide.
Report any issues with a cannabis business, cannabis product, and adverse events at the link below. All incident reports of potential illicit shops are investigated by the Office’s Enforcement Division. Here’s what you need to know:
When you buy unregulated products from illicit shops, you don’t know what you’re getting. Unregulated products purchased online and from unlicensed stores are a safety risk as they have not been tested for contaminants, processing methods are unknown, and the label could say one thing and the contents may be something entirely different.
Additionally, they can be attractive to children or minors under 21. Not only is it illegal for anyone under 21 to purchase or consume adult-use cannabis, it can be dangerous to their health, sometimes requiring a visit to the emergency department or even a hospital stay. Below are examples of unregulated cannabis products collected during OCM’s enforcement seizures.
The following is a broad overview on how a complaint to OCM originates, is vetted and prioritized, and subsequently resolved by OCM:
“Thank you on behalf of the licensed cannabis community and advocacy groups. We are sincerely grateful for the proactive leadership efforts and work to take common sense measures that address and eliminate the proliferation of unlicensed cannabis storefronts.”
– Osbert Orduña, CEO, The Cannabis Place
While adults 21+ can access safer, tested cannabis products from over 100 licensed cannabis dispensaries across the state, top of mind for consumers is, “how do I know if I am shopping at a legal dispensary?”
Look for the Dispensary Verification Tool, pictured below. All licensed dispensaries are issued a Dispensary Verification Tool which is posted in the storefront. Scan the QR code to be directed to OCM’s website with a list of all licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries and ensure the dispensary you are visiting is listed on OCM’s website.
The Office of Cannabis Management requires certain safety requirements for all approved adult-use and medical cannabis products. All cannabis product packaging should clearly display:
All regulated products will have a QR code or link to that product’s lab testing results called a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). All cannabis products must pass lab testing before being sold at licensed adult-use or medical dispensaries. Lab testing ensures cannabis products available are safer to consume and are accurately labeled with potency.
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