Top photo by Derek Berg
On the past two Wednesdays, a contingent of law enforcement officers has busted several unlicensed cannabis shops in the East Village.
You may have noticed the "Illegal Cannabis Seized" posters affixed to the storefronts...
Last week's visits included a shop on Second Avenue near Fourth Street (photos by Stacie Joy) ... and First Avenue near Ninth Street. These businesses remain closed, though others that were fined in the past have reopened.
Yesterday's action targeted the dispensary on the SE corner of First Avenue and 11th Street (photos below by William Klayer) ...
More crackdown tactics are on the way.
As Gothamist reported on June 13: "More than half of the City Council's members are sponsoring a bill that will lead to serious penalties for people who knowingly lease space to unlicensed sellers of marijuana, tobacco and other controlled substances."
And fines for selling marijuana without a license could eventually hike up to $20,000 daily.
From a June 8 press release from NY State:
"New York is proud to have undertaken the most equitable legal cannabis roll-out in the nation and the State will not stand idle as unlicensed operators break the law and sell untested products to underage New Yorkers," Gov. Hochul said. "These enforcement actions are critical steps to protect and help those individuals who were promised a shot to start a legal business and be successful. Additionally, these unlicensed operators undermine the State's efforts to generate substantial funds for a social equity fund that will go into the communities that have been hardest hit by over-prosecution of the cannabis laws in the past."
This afternoon, Gov. Hochul announced that inspectors from the Cannabis Management and Department of Taxation and Finance issued violations to 21 stores in Manhattan and seized nearly $11 million worth of "illicit products" this month.
Hochul said that "some of the unregulated product was found to be marketed to kids and contain toxic chemicals, E. coli, and other contaminants," the Post reported.
"I want to be aggressive; I want to get this done," she said. "I want to send a message loud and clear across this state that if you're operating illegally, you will be caught, and you will be stopped. We're going to work together and enforce the law quickly and aggressively and shut these bad actors down."
Previously on EV Grieve:
19 comments:
they also busted one yesterday on the east side of ave a between 2nd and 3rd st.
There is no real "protection" of consumers going on here; bottom line is: Hochul WANTS THE TAX MONEY.
She doesn't care who might be harmed by using marijuana (that doesn't concern her one iota), but damn, she wants that TAX MONEY in Albany's coffers. You gotta be sure to toke only on NYS-approved MJ.
We are living in the weirdest of times.
Little late to be sending a message about "quick and aggressive" enforcement!!!
I don’t care - they are everywhere and are selling to everyone - including teens. They attract all kinds of riff raff as and shenanigans too - I want them regulated.
Waaah ! How can I get high now - excepting the dozens of other illegal shops & dozens of dealers selling openly all over the place.
They raid stores but they leave the people alone selling at Washington Square Park who have tables set up. Just seem weird and very random.
@8:47pm: You want them regulated. I want the smell of skunk-pot outlawed in NYC. Neither you nor I will get what we want.
Looks like they raised George Orwell from his grave to write that poster. And Dear Governor's pearl clutching we must think of the children and the evil effects these products will have on their teeny brains is beyond contemptible. At least we can rest assured that $11 million worth of gummies, vapes, and pre-rolls have been safely stored under lock and key by NYC Finest as they have an impeccable record of never, ever losing track of any contraband. And no cop or property clerk would even think pinching some of those supplies to share with his family and friends. This never happens. However, the most important point about all of this is that any of you see some bastard engaging in any illegal activity of any sort it is absolutely your civic duty to report them immediately!
If you want to report an illegal shop, it's super easy. Just name and address on this link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewgscuKchRD50ydOCy8zuvp9cf7fXXfqPaBHEXr1hMRvz1xA/viewform and send
A lot of these places are either going underground of deciding it's not worth the risk.just on 9th between first an A La Fleur Cafe has pulled their pot signage, the Gallery at 424 E 9th looks like new ownership and Kushi Factory @422 turned off the open sign in window. I wish they would raid Villager Smoke Shop @445 E 9th. Every night there are fancy sports cars , often with blacked out Windows and Jersey plates standing in front of the bus stop/fire hydrant and running into the store. Also, Empire at 57 First pulled their sign from their frosted window, just leaving the open sign. Hopefully these tricks won't fool the authorities.
Yeah the vacant graffiti covered storefronts are much better. By the way they were very nice people.
If Youre 21 or older and dont want to pay 22 dollars in tax on an eighth I sit in Tompkins square park a good amount of time and sell good home grown. Find me near the Krishna tree. If not me then there are five other folks doing the same.
This has become a huge problem. Oversight and regulations should and need to be in place for these businesses to thrive and sustain themselves legitimately. I am in full support for the legalization of marijuana even though I don't partake in it personally, but there must a clearer path without abrupt exits or shortcuts .
I'm sick of walking around smelling it everywhere I go. I could care less that it's legal now, I'm happy, but show some respect for other people when walking down the street. I feel the same walk about cigarette smokers.
The illegal stores are bringing armed robbers into the neighborhood. A bunch of shops in the EV have been held up at gunpoint for cash and product that can easily be sold elsewhere in the city.
Said it here before, I'll say again: Should have been just 'decriminalized'.
(Hell, I enjoyed it better illegal anyway)
The one on corner of 10th and First is already back open!
Vacant storefronts, unfortunately, may be better than ones that are magnets for armed robbery and sell drugs to teenagers. I seriously do not have a problem with legalization (beyond hating the smell, like everyone), but the licensing regime needs to be enforced.
Let me put it this way!!!
The unlicensed pot economy has survived Giuliani and Trump…it will survive the corporatocracy!!!
Make licenses accessible to low
Income
It doesn’t seem at all weird to me that they’re focusing on shops that have fixed addresses and stockrooms and whatnot rather than a dude with a folding table. Do you not see any differences between them?
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