NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A multi-agency task force operation shut down 779 illegal locations, issued over $65 million in civil penalties, and seized an estimated $41 million worth of illegal products, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday.
Officials celebrated the milestone achievements of “Operation Padlock to Protect” in the city’s effective enforcement actions against illegal cannabis shops.
"Today, I am pleased to join Mayor Adams and other officials to celebrate a milestone and recognize the enforcement teams who shut down more than 1,000 unlicensed stores statewide, bringing us closer to our goal of building the strongest, most equitable cannabis industry in the nation,” Hochul said.
In July, the operation carried out multiple enforcement actions targeting illegal cannabis manufacturing, processing, and distribution networks across New York City. These operations led to the largest seizure of illegal products to date, with $8 million worth of illicit cannabis products removed from New York City streets, according to the Eric Adams’ administration.
“For too long, illegal shops have contributed to a feeling that anything goes on our streets, while targeting our most vulnerable — including children — with dangerous, counterfeit products marketed as candy,” Adams said. “But today, we are celebrating that this is no longer being tolerated and we are making huge gains to protect communities and usher in a legal cannabis market that will thrive.”
According to the Adams administration, the legalization of cannabis aims to create a new economy in New York State and address the harmful effects of the "War on Drugs" on Black and Brown communities. For New York City's cannabis economy and justice-involved businesses to thrive, the city and state need to support the legal market.
To help with this, Adams launched Cannabis NYC under the New York City Department of Small Business Services, offering free resources and services to all New Yorkers interested in the cannabis industry.