Mayor Walsh Announces Supreme Court Decision on THC

Published on June 27, 2025

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced a State Supreme Court order that puts an illegal marijuana shop on the City’s northside out of business. Judge James T. Murphy issued a permanent injunction against The Herbal Center prohibiting the sale or consumption of cannabis at its premises located at 916 N. Salina Street. In its decision entered June 18, the Court also awarded $10,000 fines payable to the City against the business, the individual who owns the business, and the limited liability corporation which owns the property.

Judge Murphy’s decision in the suit brought by the city Corporation Counsel’s office in May 2024, determined the Herbal Center “knowingly and defiantly sold cannabis without a license.” The injunction issued by the Court prohibits the shop from selling and allowing on-site consumption of cannabis until it obtains proper state licensing, as well as barring The Herbal Center from posting online advertising or signage for sale of cannabis.

“Operations like The Herbal Center are dangerous to public health and safety, undermine the State’s efforts to provide residents with safe recreational cannabis, and hurt legitimate businesses that are following the rules,” said Mayor Walsh. “This case demonstrates the City‘s determination to protect our neighborhoods from businesses that operate illegally.”

Judge Murphy also rejected claims by The Herbal Center, which presented itself as a private club, alleging the City of Syracuse’s Local Cannabis Law is unconstitutional and that the City should not have authorized inspections inside the illegal cannabis store. The Judge said, “the Herbal Center has no reasonable expectation of privacy in its illegal cannabis operation, despite its attempts to conceal or keep its operation ‘private.’”

The $10,000 fines awarded by the Court, authorized by the City’s Cannabis Local Law, were issued against The Herbal Center, 916 Noth Salina Street LLC and owner John Vanfossen.