New York Seizes Cannabis Products Worth $63 Million from 1,000 Closed Smoke Shops | Where to order CBD Vape online
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Mayor Eric Adams announced that New York City officials destroyed over 4 tons of unregulated marijuana products they confiscated in unlicensed shops under an enforcement operation they began nearly four months ago.
New York authorities confiscated products worth approximately $63 million from 1,000 storefronts in the city.
Adams launched the enforcement operations, which were dubbed “Operation Padlock to protect“, on May 7, to close down smoke and vapor shops in the five boroughs of New York City that are not allowed to sell cannabis products by the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.
This city-wide operation began following the inclusion of SMOKEOUT Act In April, New York’s state budget agreement gave municipalities the authority to shut down cannabis stores that do not comply with state laws.
RELATED: Enforcement powers, padlocks part of New York plan to dismantle unregulated cannabis sales
Adams, speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, held up one bag of 576 confiscated cannabis products which were about to go into incineration. “You can smell the cannabis here. We achieved exactly what we expected to with the right insight, focus and determination.”
Adams announced that as of August 27, city officials had inspected 100% of “known shops identified” in New York selling unregulated cannabis products. The task force that oversees Operation Padlock to Protect is made up of the New York City Sheriff’s Office (NYSO), the Police Department (NYPD), and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection DCWP.
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The mayor was joined by NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban, DCWP Commissioner Vilda Mayuga and Sheriff Anthony Miranda on Wednesday.
According to the OCM, New York City officials closed 1,000 or more unlicensed stores, at a time where there are 166 licensed dispensaries for adult-use throughout the state, including 76 New York City. According to the OCM, these stores sold adult-use products worth $263.6 millions in the first six months 2024.
State officials have also started closing down unlicensed shops through the Illicit Cannabis Enforcement Task Force. ICET, a statewide interagency initiative, is a collaboration of New York State Police (NYSP), the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the New York Department of Tax and Finance and over a dozen other agencies.
John Kagia, OCM Policy Director, said that in the six weeks following ICET’s authoritative actions, cannabis retailers in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island experienced a collective revenue increase of more than $1.8M, or a 50% increase.
Gov. Kathy Hochul On August 26, state authorities padlocked 345 unlicensed marijuana shops and seized almost $29 million worth of unregulated products or 7,485 lbs. According to the governor, 136 retail stores also closed on their own or ceased to sell products because of the ICET enforcement blitz.
Hochul wrote in social media that he would not allow illegal cannabis stores to plague our communities or take business from our hardworking, legal dispensaries. “Our message is clear: If you are operating without a permit, we will shut you down.”
I will not allow illegal cannabis stores to take away business from our hardworking legal dispensary operators.
Our message is clear: If you are operating without a license, you will be shut down. https://t.co/Cphiuk9viV
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 27, 2024
The governor’s office reported that, in addition to 345 padlocks issued by state officials, 596 violation notices were issued during 789 inspections. The state also held 79 administrative proceedings, which resulted in 57 decisions. Of these, 52 upheld the emergency lock-up.
These actions coincide with the filing of a class-action lawsuit by Lance Lazzaro, of The Lazzaro Law Firm LCC, on behalf of over two dozen businesses. He claims it is unconstitutional for New York City to padlock businesses without a judicial review or court order and solely based on an unadjudicated allegation that a business sold cannabis without a licence.
The New York Cannabis Law–the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation ActThe Cannabis Control Board and the OCM, which was enacted March 31, 2021 have the authority to grant licenses to dispensaries for the sale of adult-use cannabis and medical cannabis products as well as hemp products.
The licensing structure of any state cannabis program includes a requirement to ensure consumer safety by regulating products that are tracked and tested. Licensed laboratories test cannabis not only for cannabinoid content, but also for pesticides and heavy metals. They also check for moisture, foreign contaminants, mycotoxins, residual solvents and chemicals.
Adams said that promoting consumer safety in New York City was part of his duties as mayor.
“Illegal cannabis [is] Adams: “These illegal products will never be allowed to return to New York City streets, where they could endanger our children again.” You can also read about the importance of this in our article. “Our successful efforts continue our efforts to keep our communities secure and create an atmosphere where legal operators who uphold public security and realize the goals for social justice in the marijuana industry are able thrive.
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