Gov. Kathy Hochul and licensed dispensary owners are raising their voices against major social media companies like Meta Platforms Inc META and Alphabet Inc GOOG for allegedly promoting unlicensed cannabis businesses. In a Wednesday press conference, they called for immediate action, saying that such promotion undermines legitimate cannabis operations.

Governor Hochul’s Plea To Tech Giants

"Let us give you the list of legal vendors. I know who is legal. We all know who is legal," Hochul said. The governor’s demands extend to digital services like Google Maps and Yelp, urging them to stop directing consumers to unlicensed vendors, which blurs the lines between legal and illegal cannabis sources. This situation poses not only a legal dilemma but also public health concerns due to the distribution of untested products, ABC 7 reported.

The Voice Of Licensed Operators

“The presence of illicit operators siphons away dollars dedicated to communities that legal dispensaries are located in,” said Alfredo Angueira, a licensed cannabis operator who stood with Hochul during the announcement. Co-founder of Con Bud, Angueira underscored the adverse impact on legal businesses, revealing the alarming proximity of at least 71 illicit shops near his Lower East Side legal dispensary.

Challenges In Enforcing Cannabis Policies

While social media platforms like Meta have previously stated their prohibition of drug-related content, the persistence of unlicensed cannabis shop promotions underscores the complexity of enforcement in the digital age.

New York’s efforts to regulate its cannabis market through fines on unlicensed retailers have encountered significant hurdles. Over $25 million in fines imposed since 2023 remain largely uncollected due to legal complexities and administrative delays. This gap highlights the challenges facing Governor Hochul’s administration in its crackdown on illegal cannabis sales, highlighting the need for more effective enforcement strategies to support New York’s burgeoning legal cannabis industry.

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by US Congress (Official Photo) via Wikimedia Commons and Budding on Unsplash