A new state law that would make it easier to padlock unlicensed cannabis stores in New York has broad support, but top Democrats in the state Legislature have refused to include the plan in this year’s budget, the Post reported. .
The proposed crackdown is being pushed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Jennifer Rajkumar (D-Queens), and is supported by Democratic leadership in the state Senate.
However, House Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) opposes including policy items in annual spending bills, so there are no plans to include the plan as part of this year’s budget negotiations, a spokesperson for House Speaker Carl Heastie said. the person in charge said.
But unlicensed marijuana dispensaries have fiscal implications because they siphon business from licensed marijuana dispensaries and deprive the state of additional tax revenue, officials said.
“Despite its huge potential, regulators are neglecting their responsibilities… and [pot legalizations’] “The intended beneficiaries – disproportionately affected communities – are missing out on millions of dollars in critical tax revenue while putting consumers at risk,” said Kirsten of the Coalition for Regulated Safe Cannabis Access.・Mr. Foy said.
Rajkumar’s bipartisan bill, Stopping the Over-Diffusion of Marijuana and Keeping it Clear of Unlicensed Businesses (also known as the “Smoke Out” law), prioritizes cracking down on illegal marijuana stores. It has the support of Mayor Eric Adams, who has made it an issue.
Mr. Hochul proposed a largely similar measure that would give New York City and other local governments the power to shut down and increase penalties.
“This is a big issue for many members. Many members have raised the issue of illegal shops in meetings,” said Rajkumar, an Adams ally.
Adams and City Sheriff Anthony Miranda said there are 2,000 stores selling marijuana illegally and current laws are inadequate to address the problem.
The futility of the current crackdown was made clear Tuesday when The Post discovered that two businesses raided last week in Queens’ Middle Village for illegally selling marijuana have reopened.
One store, Gas City Exotic, simply exchanged pounds of confiscated marijuana.
On Thursday, city officials padlocked the smoking area at Zaza Waza on Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side under a city law that allows tobacco sales to be licensed and regulated through the Consumer and Worker Protection Department. .
Zaza Waza also sold marijuana illegally, but under current law, authorities do not have the power to close it down for marijuana violations.
The Zaza Waza store was padlocked on Wednesday, but an employee broke the lock and reopened it Thursday morning.
Officers from the 24th Precinct returned Thursday and triple-locked the store after ordering employees to leave the premises.
“The police were great. We need similar laws for marijuana enforcement,” said City Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who held a press conference outside the store on Columbus Avenue Thursday morning.
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “The Adams Administration is doing everything possible to protect New Yorkers from the dangerous and illegal products found in unlicensed smoke shops, including launching its own interagency task force. , has imposed more than $90 million in fines and closed more than 170 stores.” shop. ”
“But the city does not have the authority to permanently close illegal marijuana stores, which is why Mayor Adams is specifically calling on Albany to give New York City the authority to close these illegal stores. ” The Administration will continue to work with the Governor’s Office and state partners to empower local governments to more quickly and efficiently police, inspect, and shut down illegal dispensaries. ”
