State cannabis regulators have declined to provide an estimate of how many illegal marijuana stores there are in New York, but Mayor Adams announced Tuesday that he would “padlock” the five boroughs to shut down illegal marijuana stores. announced the “Protect” program.
“It’s much bigger than we would like,” Pascal Bernard, deputy director for intergovernmental affairs at the state agency’s Office of Cannabis Control, said at a meeting Tuesday at Queensborough Hall.
Borough President Donovan Richards then asked for an “estimate” on the number of illegal stores that are a scourge on neighborhoods across the Big Apple and a nuisance to the budding legal marijuana market.
“I don’t want to give out inflated or inflated numbers,” Barnard said.
“We recognize this is a problem,” she added.
She said a new state law recently approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature will make it easier to tackle illegal stores and “turn the tide.”
Mr Richards was unimpressed by the lack of specificity at a meeting attended by district leaders of the borough’s community boards.
“They should at least have a guess. I was trying to smoke them out,” the Neighborhood President quipped.
Adams and City Sheriff Anthony Miranda said there are about 2,900 stores in the city that are believed to be selling marijuana illegally.
In comparison, 55 of the 119 licensed stores across the state are located in the city.
More than 20 businesses were inspected Tuesday, including Bud & Beyond at 386 Canal St. near West Broadway and Big City Smoke Shop at 110 Church St.
The Sheriff’s Office, NYPD, and Department of Consumer Affairs and Workforce Production participated in the inspection.
Before the raid, Adams gave encouragement to marijuana officers at the Long Island City Sheriff’s Office, including protecting young people targeted by the illegal industry with colorful candy-like packaging for marijuana edibles. He emphasized the importance of this mission.
“Today, our administration is making good on its promise to close down unlicensed smoking and cannabis stores, protect our youth, and ensure a bright future for legal cannabis in New York City,” Hizzoner said. .
“Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and our partners in the state Legislature, New York City is now using the full force of the law in every borough to padlock and protect our streets. Legal marijuana remains the right choice for our city, but for those who choose to break the law, we will shut you down.”
Miranda said most of the facilities he visited Tuesday were closed after large amounts of marijuana and illegal hallucinogens, including the “magic mushroom” psilocybin, were found on the premises.
He said that not only residents but also illegal head offices were noticed.
“We’re getting a great response from the community,” the sheriff said late Tuesday afternoon.
“When it comes to illegal cannabis stores, they know we’re coming. It’s just a matter of when.”
The new law gives authorities an immediate cease-and-desist and sealing order to keep illegal shops closed pending an administrative review.
Previously, stores would reopen days after the attack.
Building owners and landlords face stiff penalties if they fail to comply with closure orders.
Still, some elected officials and civic leaders have said they oppose the opening of state-licensed cannabis stores until illegal stores close, including Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. is also included.
He was skeptical that the crackdown would end the illegal market.
“It’s like whack-a-mole. When authorities close one store, two or three open in its place. Of the three legal dispensaries currently operating, Staten Island’s most frequently “There are more than 100 illegal smoking establishments in the locations we visit, especially those frequented by families and school children,” Fossella said.
“Existing law enforcement agencies are inadequate to stop the proliferation of these marijuana shops masquerading as ‘convenience stores’ or ‘gift’ shops…We believe that the Bureau of Cannabis Control will require the sheriff’s office to Other local governments have padlocked and permanently closed all illegal smoking establishments on Staten Island. ”
Community Board 9 in central Queens, which covers Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park and Woodhaven, also said it opposes any licensed cannabis stores until all illegal stores in the area are shut down.
Miranda said the sheriff’s office has 250 officers, but declined to say how many are assigned to marijuana enforcement.
