CANAJOHARIE — State agencies seized illicit cannabis allegedly being sold at a Canajoharie smoke shop without a license and ordered the business to close for failing to secure workers’ compensation coverage.
Notices were posted at A&A Exotic Smoke Shop at 29 Church St. on Tuesday by the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and state Workers’ Compensation Board, respectively, ordering the business to “stop illegal activity” and to stop work.
Despite the notices dated from earlier in the day, A&A Exotic Smoke Shop appeared to be open Tuesday just after 7 p.m. with open signs clearly displayed, lights on inside the shop and the entrance unlocked.
When repeatedly asked whether the business was in fact open, a man sitting behind the counter inside the shop eventually said “no.”
Ahmed Algahim was listed as the owner of the business on one of the notices posted by OCM. No one answered the shop’s listed phone number on Wednesday. The owner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A notice posted by the state Office of Cannabis Management at A&A Exotic Smoke Shop at 29 Church St. in Canajoharie on Tuesday.
A notice of violation and order to cease unlicensed activity issued by the OCM Enforcement Division posted on an exterior window alleges the business was operating as a cannabis retailer with flowers, concentrate and edibles observed at the shop on Tuesday morning.
Although the business has a cannabinoid hemp or CBD retail license, A&A Exotic Smoke Shop does not possess an adult-use cannabis dispensary license from OCM.
A separate notice warns that illicit cannabis was seized from the shop, which has been ordered to “immediately cease the sale of unapproved and unauthorized cannabis products.”
A notice posted by the state Office of Cannabis Management at A&A Exotic Smoke Shop at 29 Church St. in Canajoharie on Tuesday.
“Illicit cannabis products have not been tested or approved by OCM and can pose a threat to public health and safety. The unlicensed sale of cannabis and cannabis products is strictly prohibited,” the notice continues.
Additionally, a stop work order requiring all business operations to cease was posted at the shop by the Workers’ Compensation Board due to the employer’s alleged failure to secure workers’ compensation coverage.
The order is to remain in effect until the owner demonstrates compliance with state Workers’ Compensation Law by providing proof of coverage and payment in full for any outstanding penalties or assessments.
Violation of the stop work order is subject to enforcement by the state Supreme Court.
A stop work order posted by the state Workers’ Compensation Board at A&A Exotic Smoke Shop at 29 Church St. in Canajoharie on Tuesday.
Local officials apparently were not notified of the state enforcement action. Village Police Chief Raymond Renzi was aware OCM had received reports regarding the smoke shop earlier this year, but was not apprised of actions taken by the agency on Tuesday.
The state was apparently engaged in investigations elsewhere in New York when the reports were received, according to Renzi, who said officials with OCM were originally expected to involve his department when they eventually initiated their local probe.
“We haven't heard anything,” Renzi said. “They never followed up with us.”
Only OCM had jurisdiction to enforce the state’s adult-use cannabis laws, creating delays in shutting down unlicensed operations across the state and frustration over the inability of local authorities to take action.
That will soon change under provisions included in the state budget that was adopted over the weekend. Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced the plan provides OCM and localities new authority to “weed out” illegal shops.
The initiative will authorize OCM to padlock storefronts illegally selling cannabis immediately following an inspection, while empowering municipalities to establish laws enabling local authorities to enforce cannabis laws and to padlock non-compliant businesses.
A state task force will also be created to carry out civil enforcement to close the illegal stores and to investigate unlicensed suppliers.
Officials with OCM did not respond to a request for comment for this story.