New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing steep fines for stores selling weed without a license.

The move comes as pressure builds to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops – something other city and state officials have struggled to do effectively. Hochul is also looking to make it easier to shut down those vendors that violate the law.

The governor introduced legislation in Albany Wednesday that would clarify and expand the authority of the state Office of Cannabis Management, the Department of Taxation and Finance and local police to enforce cannabis and tax laws. Under her bill, violations could result in fines of up to $200,000 for stores that have illicit cannabis products among their inventory, according to Hochul’s announcement.

The state Office of Cannabis Management would also be able to fine stores $10,000 a day for selling cannabis products illegally.

“The continued existence of illegal dispensaries is unacceptable, and we need additional enforcement tools to protect New Yorkers from dangerous products and support our equity initiatives,” Hochul said.

The governor added that she is “proud of our continued progress” in creating a legal market in New York – although three years after marijuana was legalized here, just a handful of legal dispensaries have opened. That has largely been due to the state’s efforts to prioritize applicants with past marijuana convictions to open the first shops – but insiders have said it’s still unclear whether licenses will translate into successful businesses. [Read More @ The Gothamist]