Two Rome Convenience Stores Shut Down for Illegal Cannabis Sales

Authorities seized thousands of cannabis products and flavored vapes from three local businesses.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:19pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of seized cannabis flower buds and vape cartridges against a black background, creating a stark, gritty investigative aesthetic.Authorities seized thousands of illegal cannabis products and flavored nicotine vapes from three Rome convenience stores.Rome Today

Police in Rome, New York raided three local convenience stores - Brooklyn Exotics, Prince Convenience, and Community Express Market - and found them selling illegal cannabis products and flavored nicotine vapes. Two of the stores were shut down by the state's Office of Cannabis Management, while the third faces fines from the health department.

Why it matters

The crackdown on these stores highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to enforce cannabis regulations and curb the sale of illicit products, especially those that could appeal to minors through flavored vapes. It also reflects the challenges small businesses face in navigating the new legal cannabis landscape.

The details

During the March 24 raids, police seized thousands of cannabis flowers, concentrates, and flavored nicotine vape products from the three stores. Clerks at two of the stores were charged with misdemeanors related to the illegal sales. The state shut down Brooklyn Exotics and Prince Convenience pending administrative hearings, while Community Express Market remains open but faces fines.

  • On March 24, 2026, police executed search warrants at the three convenience stores.
  • The state Office of Cannabis Management shut down Brooklyn Exotics and Prince Convenience following the raids.

The players

Rome Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that conducted the investigation and raids on the three convenience stores.

Oneida County District Attorney's Office

The county-level prosecutorial office that assisted in the investigation.

Office of Cannabis Management

The state agency that oversees the legal cannabis industry and shut down two of the stores.

Nathaniel A. Doyle

A 20-year-old clerk at Brooklyn Exotics who was charged with unlicensed cannabis sales, a misdemeanor.

Christian J. Wojdyla-Lerch

A 21-year-old clerk at Prince Convenience who was charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure the legal cannabis market is not undermined by the sale of illicit products.”

— Tremaine Wright, Chair, New York Office of Cannabis Management

What’s next

The two shuttered stores face administrative hearings with the Office of Cannabis Management, and the third store is expected to receive fines from the Oneida County Department of Health.

The takeaway

This crackdown on illegal cannabis and vape sales at local convenience stores underscores the challenges of implementing New York's new legal cannabis framework, as authorities work to stamp out the illicit market and protect public health, especially for youth.