BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The village of Massena is taking action against cannabis dispensaries they say have violated village code regulations and planning board regulations.

According to Mayor Greg Paquin, the village filed injunctions against two businesses earlier this week.

During the Village Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 13, Paquin said both operations were operating illegally due to code violations and, in the case of THC Remedies, violating planning board regulations.

"They came in and told the planning board they were going to be a smoke shop and as soon as they got approval they started selling pot," Paquin said.

According to Paquin, both businesses will be able to continue to operate until the village receives an injunction to step in and shut them down for code violations.

Paquin clarified that only the two shops are being taken to court, with a third being just outside the village limits.

"That one is not within our jurisdiction, so we can't do anything about them legally," he said.

"There may be other businesses that are not code compliant or planning board compliant," Paquin continued.

Another point of contention is just who is licensing the businesses operating in the "Square Mile."

"Just a general comment, I got an email, I want to say maybe about a year and a half ago, from the Tribal Council. They had their list of authorized and unauthorized pot shops and which ones they said could operate on tribal land, which I thought was kind of interesting," Paquin said.

Though he was not clear of the details at the time of the meeting, Paquin said it was possible that the businesses in question are licensed through the Longhouse and are not duly authorized to operate by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's Cannabis Compliance Office.

In a recent press release obtained by North Country This Week, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe's Cannabis Compliance Office listed 21 dispensaries that are licensed by and compliant with tribal regulations.

Neither business in question were included in the press release.

"To easily identify these licensed retailers, community members are encouraged to look for the Tribally Licensed compliance emblem with the respective license number prominently displayed on the front window or door of each establishment. Tribal Compliance Officers conduct regular visits to these stores to ensure strict adherence to tribal regulations and work collaboratively with tribally licensed retailers. The Tribe emphasizes that member-owned licensed properties play a crucial role in supporting programs that benefit Tribal community members," the press release states.

Why the businesses are allowed to continue operating is simple, Paquin said.

"This is a failure of New York State and the Office of Cannabis Management. We have continually asked for their help and they have done absolutely nothing to help us. They have abandoned us, they have abandoned Massena. Under the law, it is now up to the Office of Cannabis Management to enforce these regulations and shut these businesses down if they are not compliant," he said.

Paquin also noted that both businesses were part of an extensive law enforcement investigation and raid last year that saw the seizure of 66 grams of psilocybin, 27 pounds of cannabis concentrate, 63.2 pounds of cannabis, 18,386 vapes, six switchblade knives and $37,530 in cash from seven unlicensed cannabis shops.

Following the operation last June, former St. Lawrence County Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe said the goal was not to eradicate marijuana use in the county, but rather stop the sale of illegal substances and drugs to minors.

”Illegal substances are in some of these products being sold in these establishments with no oversight. It will continue to endanger the citizens of St. Lawrence County and surrounding counties,” he said.

St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua doubled down on the sheriff’s statement at a press conference in Canton on June 30 last year.

“This isn't about, necessarily, just marijuana, and whether you agree or disagree with the law that was passed here in New York. This is about the totality of what was happening in the stores as the sheriff mentioned. This is about controlled substances and hallucinogens being sold in the stores. This is about them being sold to children in our communities. That is why this was so important,” he said following the operation.

Two arrests were made in Massena as part of the operation, including Famous A's on Center Street and THC Remedies on Beach Street.

Thunder C. Anderson, 46, of Hogansburg, and Julianne E. Jacobs, 32, from Massena were charged with criminal possession of cannabis in the 2nd degree, a class E Felony and criminal possession of cannabis 3rd degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Seized at the location were 42 pounds of cannabis, 5,707 grams of concentrated cannabis, 767 flavored nicotine vapes and $1616 US currency at Famous A's.

Joshua L. Shorette, 39, of Brasher Falls, and Justin L. Deshane, 31, of Massena, were charged with criminal possession of cannabis in the 3rd degree, a class A misdemeanor and criminal possession of cannabis 2nd degree, a class E felony.

Seized at the location were 13.8 pounds of cannabis, 857 grams of concentrated cannabis and 114 flavored nicotine vapes along with $3,161 in US currency was seized at THC Remedies.