Buffalo Common Council Approves Legislation Strengthening Enforcement Against Unlicensed Cannabis Retailers
Buffalo, N.Y. - In a unanimous vote, the Buffalo Common Council approved legislation strengthening enforcement policies against unlicensed cannabis operators in the City of Buffalo. The new law gives the city Department of Permit & Inspection Services greater authority to crack down on unlicensed cannabis businesses, including by seizing products, fining operators, and shutting down the businesses.
Since New York State legalized cannabis for adult recreational use in 2021, thousands of unlicensed cannabis businesses have opened up shop across the state, exploiting both loopholes in the new state laws and an initial delay in licensing and opening legal cannabis businesses.
Unlike licensed cannabis retailers, these unlicensed businesses sell unlicensed cannabis products that have not been tested for safety, potency, or to ensure they are free of dangerous contaminants. Additionally, unlicensed businesses undermine the success of the licensed operators and divert millions in tax revenue away from public education, community reinvestment, and substance abuse treatment, all of which are funded with the state’s cannabis taxes.
In response, the New York State Legislature passed legislation in 2024 giving local governments greater authority to shut down unlicensed cannabis stores and strengthen the legal market.
The legislation approved by the Common Council on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 gives the city Department of Permit & Inspection Services the authority to:
Conduct regular inspections of cannabis businesses.
Search suspected unlicensed operators and seize and destroy any unlawful cannabis products
Issue cease and desist orders against unlicensed businesses.
Padlock and shutter unlicensed cannabis businesses.
Impose fines and penalties against unlicensed cannabis businesses, totaling up to $10,000 per day that the violations occur.
“With this legislation, the City of Buffalo is taking a stand against the unlicensed cannabis businesses that are undercutting the legal market and putting consumers at risk,” said Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader Leah M. Halton-Pope. “The new enforcement powers provided by this legislation helps protect public health and community safety, provide local control over the cannabis market, and support economic fairness for those who are following the rules and generating tax revenue that benefits our community. I thank my colleagues, the law department, and Mayor Scanlon for working with me to help shut down the harmful unlicensed cannabis market in our community.”
Following Council approval, the legislation will next go to Acting Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon, who will be required to hold a public hearing on the bill.