Another Attempt at Shutting Down the Illicit Shops .

The attorney, Fatima Afia, remarked, ‘I envision that it would necessitate significant resources, time, and effort—essentially, all the things that OCM has evidently lacked for enforcement purposes thus far,’

Previous attempts to stem the proliferation of illicit dispensaries have faltered. Government statistics suggest there could be 60 illegal cannabis retailers for every legal one in the city.

According to Mayor Adams’ office, approximately 2,500 illegal cannabis shops have emerged across the five boroughs. Contrastingly, just 40 legal cannabis dispensaries have been established citywide, as reported by the state Cannabis Management Office.

Within the City Council, lawmakers have advocated targeting these illicit businesses using the city’s longstanding nuisance abatement law, which permits the closure of certain establishments, including brothels. However, despite garnering 26 sponsors in the 51-seat Council, the plan has yet to advance to a hearing.

Councilman Keith Powers, a Manhattan Democrat leading the nuisance abatement initiative, mentioned that the Council is awaiting the state Legislature’s actions on cannabis in the state budget.

In Albany, Governor Hochul has proposed granting city authorities expanded, explicit powers to shut down unlicensed cannabis retailers. However, her proposal remains in flux as budget negotiations extend past the official April 1 deadline.

Acknowledging the disastrous rollout of cannabis, the governor, a Democrat, initiated a 30-day review last month of the Cannabis Management Office’s slow licensing process for cannabis sellers.

A convoluted permitting process for sellers has hindered the rollout.

Afia, the cannabis attorney, remarked, ‘The primary supporter of illicit shops is the fact that we lack a sufficient number of licensed entities to compete with them.

On another livelier note may block the new sticker shop.. to stop selling flower! Beat those positive apples.. we do things ol school way round these woods..🙊🙉🙊🙈🙊🙈🙉🙊🙈🙉☠️😩🙄 it’s called initiative. (No weapons were used in that take over) #nycannabis