The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has repeatedly rejected this logic, viewing it as an unlicensed sale of cannabis.
As of early 2026, the status of individual locations is mixed, with some marked as permanently closed following state enforcement. Manhattan Cannabis Chain Raided by Police and State Agents empirecannabisclub
: Empire was among the first businesses to receive "cease and desist" letters in 2022, which the owners largely ignored to continue operations. The state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has
: The club claims it merely facilitates the acquisition of cannabis on behalf of its members, rather than acting as a traditional retailer. : The club claims it merely facilitates the
: In July 2023, state agents and police conducted a significant raid on Empire’s Manhattan locations as part of a crackdown on hundreds of unlicensed dispensaries.
: Customers pay a daily, weekly, or monthly membership fee (e.g., $15 for a day pass or $35 monthly) to access the club's "concierge" services.