Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams Announce More Than 1,000 Illegal Cannabis Shops Have Been Shut Down Statewide

OCM Interim Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid said, “The Taskforce has been crucial in cracking down on illicit cannabis operators. Every day, OCM and our partners across the State, work hard to ensure a fair, safer, and equitable market for all, supporting New York’s legal cannabusinesses. I thank Governor Hochul for equipping the Taskforce with the tools and resources needed to uphold these values. I also want to acknowledge the broad public support for the Taskforce’s efforts, especially from those who have connected with us through OCM’s Incident Reporting Form online. Together, we can build and sustain a thriving, regulated, and inclusive cannabis market.”

Owner of The Cannabis Place Osbert Orduña said, “When I opened my dispensary, we were surrounded by illegal cannabis shops that were taking business away from those of us who went through the process and did things the right way. I stood with Governor Hochul earlier this year to express my support for shutting these shops down, and today, I’m proud to say she got the job done. Now, our community has access to legal cannabis, my sales are up 105 percent, and I’m hiring new staff to meet the increased demand.”

Owner of Matawana Leeann Mata said, “We have seen dramatic changes to our business ever since Governor Hochul took action to shut down illegal shops. Thanks to Governor Hochul, the visits to my shop have increased by 3,000 percent in the past 60 days, and this month, I’ve sold about 500 percent more product than in months before enforcement began.”