ITHACA, NY (WENY) -- Agents with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management cracked down on three Tompkins County businesses over alleged illicit sales of unlicensed cannabis.

The OCM and Department of Taxation and Finance inspected the stores, seizing cannabis and placed placards on the storefront of the businesses. The locations were also each issued Notices of Violation, and Orders to Cease Unlicensed Activity.

The three Ithaca locations, along with two in Binghamton are among the first in the Southern Tier to see enforcement efforts by the Office of Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance, over unlicensed cannabis sales.

Dozens of store across the region have popped up in the past two years, since New York State legalized recreational marijuana. Many stores operate by selling legal items, like stickers, and provide marijuana to the customer as a "gift with purchase." 

Earlier this year, New York state passed stricter legislation to crack down on these so-called sticker stores. The legislation allows the OCM to assess civil penalties against unlicensed cannabis businesses up to $20,000 per day.

Each of the three locations inspected in Ithaca Tuesday had their product seized, and issued a notice of violation for selling cannabis without a license. Each business will be subjected to additional violations, on top of a penalty of $10,000 per day.

Follow up inspections will be performed at each location to ensure the sales of unlicensed cannabis have stopped.

The following locations were inspected in Ithaca: 

1. Black Leaf -- 103 East State Street, Ithaca, NY
2. Zaza Convenience -- 101 East State Street, Ithaca, NY
3. The Rezz -- 312 Fourth St, Ithaca, NY

In addition, two shops were inspected in Binghamton: 

1. Green Magic - 144 Henry St
2. Takeoff 2 - 63 Chenango St