NY judge imposes $15M fine on owner of unlicensed cannabis shops

By The Associated Press
Published: May. 23, 2024 at 2:07 PM EDT|Updated: 13 minutes ago

LYONS, N.Y. (AP) — The owner of seven unlicensed cannabis shops in New York whose promotions included an Easter egg hunt has been fined more than $15 million after state officials complained he repeatedly ignored notices to stop operating without approval, authorities said.

A state Supreme Court justice in Lyons, New York, imposed the fine against David Tulley on Wednesday. Acting Justice Richard Healy penalized Tulley 90% of his gross sales from February 2022 to May 2023 as well as $10,000 for each day he operated without licenses.

“This punishment should serve as a clear warning for all unlicensed cannabis stores in the state: we will enforce the law and shut down your operations,” state Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement, adding that Tulley also was accused of illegally selling cannabis products to underage customers.

Tulley owned the “I’m Stuck” and “Weed Warehouse” businesses in Cayuga, Oswego and Wayne counties in western New York. He and his lawyer did not immediately return text and phone messages seeking comment Thursday.

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