New York City Shutters Illegal Cannabis Shops, Destroys 4 Tons Of Cannabis Products
New York City authorities cracked down on over 1000 illegal cannabis stores, seizing up to 4 tons of cannabis products.
The crackdown was part of the city’s 3-month initiative called ‘Operation Padlock To Protect’ which targeted unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops across five boroughs. They managed to seize as many as 576 bags of illegal cannabis products worth $63 million.
According to the press release on NYC’s official website, the confiscated items took up an outsized amount of space that they had to be distributed across several of NYPD’s network of evidence warehouses.
Up to 4 tons of illegal cannabis were incinerated
The administration led by New York City mayor Eric Adams, New York City Police Department (NYPD) and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) were present at the evidence destruction process where the illegal substances were incinerated and used as an energy source for the surrounding community.
“Illegal cannabis shops and their products pose a threat to our youth and diminish our quality of life. That’s why we are securing these hazardous storefronts and safeguarding our children, families, and communities from these unlawful operators,” stated Mayor Adams.
“Thanks to the hard work of the Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force, we’ve locked up over 1,000 illegal shops and seized more than $63 million in illegal products. Illegal cannabis is nothing like the legal stuff, which is why we’re incinerating these illegal products to make sure they don’t come back to New York City streets and put our youth at risk. Our ongoing efforts are keeping our communities safe and helping legal operators—those who prioritize public safety and support social justice in the cannabis industry—to thrive. We’re determined to ensure that the future of legal cannabis shines bright in New York City.”
Operation Padlock To Protect was initiated by mayor Eric Adams to safeguard the city from illegal cannabis businesses. The five-borough operation allowed the New York City’s Sheriff Office and other law enforcement agencies to padlock smoke and cannabis shops that were operating without a license. This is to prevent repeat offenders by making reopening more costly.
Harmful and misleading cannabis products targeting children
Many of these illegal cannabis shops peddle products that are misleading. Some of the packaging have colorful and cartoony designs which were produced with a printing press found inside the store.
“Some of these labels say they’re from California, but they’re not, and the kids’ packaging is putting our community at risk right now,” said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda.
Miranda and team also found chemicals on site which were used to flavor the products.
Miranda mentioned, “The illegal market sometimes adds chemicals to cannabis products, so when consumers inhale, they’re not just enjoying cannabis but also taking in some harmful stuff.”
Recreational cannabis was legalized in New York in 2021. It is legal for an adult aged 21 or older to possess up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis outside one’s home for personal use. Furthermore you are allowed to store up to five pounds in your home.
The cannabis industry generates about $350 million in taxes every year and provides at least 30,000 jobs.
“The increase in unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops in New York City is a big quality of life concern for New Yorkers,” said Chief Advisor to the Mayor Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin.
“These shops are particularly risky for kids and have been a big obstacle for the financial stability of legal cannabis dispensaries.”
