New York State continues to fight against illegal pot shops operating without a license. © Ebony Cox/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Syndication: Journal Sentinel
(Lyons, NY) – The owner of seven unlicensed cannabis shops in upstate New York, who promoted events like an Easter egg hunt, has been fined over $15 million for repeatedly ignoring orders to stop operating without proper approval, authorities said.
A state Supreme Court justice in Lyons, New York, imposed the fine on David Tulley this past Wednesday. Acting Justice Richard Healy penalized Tulley 90% of his gross sales from February 2022 to May 2023 and fined him $10,000 for each day he operated without licenses.
State Attorney General Letitia James says that this ruling should serve as a warning to other illegal storefronts to cease operations or face the consequences. She added that Tulley was also accused of selling cannabis products to underage customers.
Last year, Tulley told The Associated Press that his shops didn’t need state licenses because they only offered consulting and education about cannabis products for a fee and provided free samples. He denied selling products to underage people.
Last year, his stores advertised Easter egg hunts in public places like playgrounds and churches. The eggs could be redeemed for cannabis products and children’s toys. According to authorities a state investigator redeemed several eggs for cannabis flower, edibles, cannabis seeds, and other products at one of Tulley’s stores.
