They want to smoke them out.
More than 100 owners and supporters of New York City’s licensed cannabis industry say Mayor Eric Adams’ administration is putting padlocks on illegal pot peddlers who make a living and stopping new pot peddlers. asked the state Legislature to approve strict laws to make it easier.
They said their livelihoods depended on it.
The urgent appeal follows a letter sent Wednesday to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heaty (D-Bronx), who are crafting a new state budget. expressed within.
The lobbying effort is directed toward Congress, as Hochul proposes a measure that would give Gotham and other local governments more power to shut down illegal stores.
Heastie recently said cannabis enforcement is a policy matter that should be addressed separately, rather than as part of the state budget.
Pot operators asked for:
- Local governments will have the power to inspect and close illegal cannabis shops.
- Higher penalties were imposed and enforced to discourage the black market.
- Improve coordination between state and local agencies to strengthen enforcement.
- Support legal stores through public relations campaigns warning of the health risks of purchasing cannabis from illegal businesses and by reducing red tape in issuing licenses.
“We express our deep concern and support Mayor Eric Adams’ efforts to call for immediate legislative action against the proliferation of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries that are severely impacting our businesses and undermining the state’s cannabis regulatory framework. We are reaching out to assist you,” the letter drafted by Cannabis Place says. It was signed by CEO Osbert Orduna and representatives from the New York Cannabis Retail Association, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, and others.
Cannabis businesses expect a regulated market that ensures fairness, safety, quality, and fairness, and are required to adhere to strict regulations to start their operations, including paying high taxes. He said he had invested a huge amount of money.
“Despite assurances to the contrary, we evade these obligations and create thousands of unauthorized licenses that undermine our business, subvert social equity principles of law, and endanger public health and safety.” We realized that we were competing with operators,” they said.
“This not only reduces potential tax revenue for the state, but also transitions the illicit market into a well-regulated and inclusive cannabis industry, ensuring product safety and creating a lasting, fair and sustainable cannabis industry for all.” It would undermine the very purpose of legalization, which is to create economic opportunity.”
They say illegal stores sell cannabis products in brightly colored packaging that targets children by looking like candy or other snacks, as opposed to the more common packaging used by licensed dispensaries. accused of selling.
Representatives for Mayor Adams praised the city’s push for a legal cannabis industry.
A City Hall spokesperson said, “New Yorkers should be able to walk the streets without being attacked by dozens of illegal smoking establishments that operate in defiance of the law and endanger young New Yorkers.” Stated.
“The Adams Administration is doing everything it can to protect New Yorkers from illegal smoking establishments. However, the city does not have the authority to inspect and permanently close illegal cannabis stores, and the Adams Administration is With the support of cannabis business owners and community advocates, we will continue to push for state partners to empower us to crack down on cannabis to more quickly and efficiently police, inspect, and shut down illegal dispensaries. can.”
