New York authorities would be given expanded power to shut down illegal pot shops and levy fines of up to $200,000 under legislation proposed Wednesday by Governor Kathy Hochul, who’s seeking to protect the state’s fledgling legal market for recreational marijuana.
New York is trying to get its potentially massive adult legal market into high gear, but has just three shops opened so far in New York City, two in upstate New York and more shops planned. Legal operations in the city are being undermined by a proliferation of unlicensed stores.