News Summary
The Herbal Center in Liverpool, NY, has been shut down by cannabis regulators due to illegal sales of cannabis products. Following an investigation by local police and the state cannabis agency, the business was found selling unlicensed cannabis, posing public health risks. This closure is the second legal action against the Center after a prior injunction prohibited sales at a different location. The ongoing legal battles have raised concerns about authority overreach in New York’s cannabis industry, amid a crackdown on illegal cannabis shops statewide.
New York, NY – The state cannabis regulation agency has shut down The Herbal Center, a business located in Liverpool, New York, due to its illegal cannabis sales. This closure took place on Wednesday and was confirmed by a sign on the window at the establishment situated at 612 Oswego St. The sign indicated that the business was sealed by order of the Cannabis Control Board, emphasizing that “Illicit Cannabis Seized” in large red letters.
The closure followed a search warrant executed by Liverpool village police, who collaborated with the state cannabis agency to uncover illicit cannabis products inside the store. Taylor Randi Lee, a representative of the state Office of Cannabis Management, noted that the store was engaging in unlicensed activity which posed an imminent threat to public health, safety, and welfare.
The closure of The Herbal Center marks the second legal action taken against the business. In June, a State Supreme Court judge issued an injunction banning cannabis sales at another location at 916 N. Salina St., stemming from the city of Syracuse’s efforts to close the establishment, which led to a series of lawsuits. Justice James Murphy determined that The Herbal Center had “knowingly and defiantly” sold cannabis without a state license.
The Herbal Center did not respond to multiple inquiries about the recent closure in Liverpool, and its legal representation has also chosen not to comment on the matter. In addition to the location in Liverpool, The Herbal Center maintains two other outlets in Central New York: one at 110 W. Manlius St. in East Syracuse, and another that recently opened at 3078 East Ave. in Central Square.
Despite its legal challenges, The Herbal Center has branded itself as a “private cannabis club” offering free membership to individuals aged 21 and older and providing product delivery services. Following the court injunction in June, the Center described itself as a professional organization dedicated to cannabis education and culture through a Facebook post. The post accentuated its commitment to cannabis safety while expressing a hopeful outlook for its future as a recognized cannabis brand.
The ongoing legal disputes have sparked discussion regarding perceived overreach and harassment by authorities toward The Herbal Center’s operations. As New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticizes the rollout of the legal cannabis industry, labeling it a “disaster,” her administration is committed to cracking down on illegal cannabis businesses throughout the state.
Since May, New York state has taken action against more than 1,000 illegal cannabis shops, with significant enforcement activity observed in Central New York. Recent reports indicate that 24 cannabis businesses have been closed in that region alone, with 17 of these closures occurring in Onondaga County.
The enforcement actions against The Herbal Center and other establishments reflect the strict regulations imposed by the Cannabis Control Board, which oversees the licensure and operation of cannabis businesses in New York. The board was established to ensure compliance with state laws governing the legal sale of cannabis and to protect public health and safety.
As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis sales continues to evolve in New York, The Herbal Center’s future remains uncertain with ongoing legal battles ahead, including a separate lawsuit related to the property of its Syracuse location which is yet unresolved.
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Additional Resources
- Syracuse.com: State agency closes Liverpool cannabis business
- Wikipedia: Cannabis in New York
- Syracuse.com: State cracks down on illegal weed shops
- Google Search: NY cannabis regulation
- Vice: The UK’s cannabis martyr keeps getting jailed
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cannabis
- Syracuse.com: Motorcyclist dead after accident in Liverpool
- Google News: Cannabis Control Board
- DJ Mag: Liverpool club spray shop owner sentenced
- Google Scholar: cannabis regulations New York
- BBC: Recent cannabis news
- Google News: illicit cannabis businesses
