POUGHKEEPSIE, New York (WABC) — In a massive cannabis bust, New York State police have shut down a deli in Dutchess County accused of illegally selling products containing extremely high doses of THC.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) conducted the bust at the E-ASY Deli on Fallkill Avenue in Poughkeepsie on September 18.
According to the OCM, a man in his late 40s contacted police after he was hospitalized due to an adverse reaction to products bought at the deli.
A preliminary investigation found that the customer bought a cannabis-infused chocolate bar containing 1,000 mg of THC. They may look like the real thing, but the names “3 Marijuanas,” “Reefer’s” and “Budfinger” indicate they are cannabis-infused.
Regulated cannabis edibles in New York are limited to 10 mg of THC per serving and 100 mg per package, authorities say.
“These candy bars have 1,000 mg of THC, which is well above the maximum that we allow in New York State, and that is what resulted in the individual in having to go to the hospital because he had such a high dose,” said Daniel Haughney, the director of enforcement and investigations at the OCM.
In coordination with the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, OCM officials seized 4.3 pounds of cannabis flower, 6.9 pounds of prohibited hemp edibles, and 236 cannabis vapes during their operation.
Following the bust, the store clerk was issued a Notice of Violation and Order to Seal and the deli was closed and padlocked per OCM policy.
The bust is just the latest in a series of operations as the state continues enforcement against illegal smoke shops, which flourished during the slow rollout of licensed dispensaries.
“After prohibition, when alcohol was legalized, there were quite a bit of unlicensed taverns and bars throughout, but now how often do you see an unlicensed bar or tavern, it just doesn’t happen,” Haughney said.
The law has some teeth in allowing the state to go after the vendor’s ability to sell other products like alcohol and lottery tickets. It also forces landlords to begin eviction proceedings against businesses that have been padlocked.
“It’s really irresponsible and dangerous for people to be putting out things like candy bars that could get into the hands of a child who not even be able to read, much less know that there are incredibly dangerous levels of cannabis in some of these products,” said Poughkeepsie Town Supervisor Rebecca Edwards.
Not all residents see the issue in the same way.
“Weed is legal, so I mean as long as it ain’t killing nobody, hurting nobody, then me personally, I don’t see the problem. I’ll buy it,” said Janelle Kenton, a Poughkeepsie resident.
Though the continued crackdown may make candy bars like these harder to find.
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