Eric Adams Cracks Down on Illegal Marijuana Shop Owners

NEW YORK — On Monday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams opened a new front in his administration’s efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal and unlicensed tobacco shops and protect the health and well-being of residents. consumers and young New Yorkers put at risk by unregulated cannabis and tobacco products.

New York City Sheriff’s Office Joint Enforcement Task Force to Address Illegal Tobacco Stores has sent letters to landlords and landlords of 50 buildings across the five boroughs, warning that they could be held legally liable for the continued unlicensed sale of cannabis or tobacco products by their tenants.

In these 50 locations alone, the task force has already imposed more than $7 million in penalties, including an estimated $3.9 million in illegal products seized and nearly another $3.2 million in civil penalties issued.

“Our administration is using every tool available to protect young people and all New Yorkers from dangerous and illegal cannabis and tobacco products, while sending a clear message that anyone who helps these illegal and unlicensed stores spread across our communities will be held accountable,” said Mayor Adams. “To support the emerging, legal cannabis market, we must go after bad actors who break the law. “Our interagency task force is coming together to keep our communities safe.”

The initiative, which is taking place citywide, will target property owners and building owners in locations where the city has taken enforcement actions and issued violations.

The task force will send letters warning of possible evictions, fines and other penalties if tenants continue illegal behavior.

“While there is no single solution to the proliferation of illegal tobacco shops, the letter to the owner is one more tool that provides an opportunity for correction,” said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda. “Owners are informed of their obligations and potential responsibilities, as well as how to take corrective action and the support available to them.”

The letter explains to landlords and landlords that they could face “a court order and fines of up to $1,000 per day,” and that the city “has the authority to request that the building owner or landlord initiate action to remove tenants from the property”.

Over the next few weeks, the task force, which is made up of the Sheriff’s Office, the New York Police Department and the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, will review unlicensed tobacco shops that have received violations for unauthorized cannabis sales. and other illegal activities and will then notify the owners of their obligation to comply with the law.

“The New York City Police Department is committed to rooting out illegal and unlicensed tobacco shops that destabilize an emerging business interest and pose significant public health and safety risks in neighborhoods across all five boroughs,” said New York City Police Commissioner New York City Police Department (NYPD), Edward. They finished. “The NYPD remains focused on our city’s mission to protect New Yorkers and ensure that cannabis and tobacco regulations are recognized, accepted and appropriately enforced.”