“In an ongoing effort to address illegal pot shops, the city announces new measures to enforce and educate, citing an estimated 1,500 unlicensed operations competing with only nine licensed storefronts.”
Mayor Eric Adams is taking a new approach to tackling the city’s illegal marijuana shops by targeting landlords and building owners who rent to them. Letters were sent to 50 building owners warning of liability for tenants’ unlicensed marijuana sales. This effort aims to support the legal cannabis market, but the city’s previous attempts have been mostly unsuccessful. The shops receiving warnings have already been fined $7 million. Only nine legal marijuana storefronts exist in NYC. Building owners face penalties up to $5,000 and eviction orders if they don’t comply.
“Mayor Eric Adams’ office is taking a new approach to tackling illegal marijuana shops by sending letters to landlords and building owners who rent to them. The letters warn of potential penalties up to $1,000 a day and encourage eviction of illegal tenants. This effort expands on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s initiative. The city has already imposed over $63 million in penalties and seized $40.5 million in illegal products. The City Council has also passed a bill allowing for $5,000 to $10,000 penalties for building owners who rent to illegal pot shops. Councilmember Lynn Schulman supports the effort, expecting it to bring in revenue.”
“Mayor Eric Adams takes aim at illegal pot shops with warning letters to landlords, threatening daily fines and eviction. City Hall’s latest salvo builds on DA Alvin Bragg’s efforts, with over $63 million in penalties already imposed. Councilmember Lynn Schulman backs the move, expecting it to bring in revenue.”
“In February, the mayor announced plans to target illegal marijuana sellers. However, the task force, led by the sheriff, slowed down enforcement after an initial burst in November. In March, the sheriff deputies’ union questioned the legality of pot shop busts, and in April, the state cannabis agency halted trials for illegal sales due to resource issues. As a result, unlicensed smoke shops often reopen soon after raids, and the state has only held 26 trials since June.”
