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New York state authorities have shut down an illegal cannabis operation in Rhinebeck, seizing approximately $900,000 worth of untested products as part of a broader crackdown on unlicensed marijuana businesses across the state.
On Sunday (February 10), investigators from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) executed a court-approved access order at an illicit grow and processing site in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County. The raid resulted in the seizure of 105 pounds of cannabis flower, 73 pounds of illegal edibles, and 5 pounds of concentrate, according to ABC7NY.
"These enforcement actions send a clear message that illegal cannabis operations anywhere in New York will be investigated and dealt with," said Daniel Haughney with the NYS Office of Cannabis Management. "Whether in major cities like New York or in rural communities like Rhinebeck, our investigators work every day to shut illegal operators down."
The Rhinebeck operation was part of a larger enforcement effort that also targeted an illegal smoke shop in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Garden neighborhood. That location, which had opened last fall on Rogers Avenue next to a day care center, was shut down on January 30 after neighbors complained about strong cannabis odors. Authorities seized 220 pounds of illegal cannabis products worth an estimated $1.4 million from the Brooklyn location.
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the state's commitment to enforcement, stating, "Illegal cannabis shops, especially those that operate where children gather, will not be tolerated. New York State has rules in place that protect the health and safety of New Yorkers, and we will continue to take decisive action to shut down illegal operations that put our communities at risk."
Unlike licensed dispensaries, which must verify customer ages and follow strict regulations about product visibility, these illegal operations violated numerous state cannabis laws. The products seized were untested and unlicensed, potentially posing health risks to consumers.
The OCM reports it has closed 22 illegal cannabis shops so far in 2026, adding to the 557 illicit storefronts already shut down across New York state. Residents can report suspected unlicensed cannabis activity through the state's official reporting system at cannabis.ny.gov/report-an-incident.