Public Safety and Crime

A Lower East Side resident listened intently as a press conference was held where elected officials stressed the need to crack down on illegal marijuana dispensaries in the community.

“I saw about 12 around here in our neighborhood, 12 of these places that open, close, open, close,” said neighbor María Ballester.

They claim that the proliferation of illegal cannabis medicines has undermined the regulated market, offering unapproved products that could put users, including minors, at risk.

“Yes, it is very difficult because now it is estimated that there are more than two thousand stores in the city, especially in the Lower East Side. On the east side of New York there are a lot, and they are close to schools, churches and youth facilities,” said councilwoman Carlina Rivera.

“Through cooperation with colleagues, advocates and city agencies, thousands of violations and millions of dollars in fines have been issued to unlicensed dispensaries. “These establishments have been found to be selling to minors, hosting illegal activities, facilitating labor exploitation and must be closed forever,” the councilor added. in a message on social networks.

Thousands of violations + millions in fines have been sent to unauthorized dispensaries thanks in partnership to colleagues, advocates and city agencies. These shops have been found to be selling to minors, hosting illegal activities, facilitating labour, and need to be closed for good. pic.twitter.com/9IzqjhC2uf

— Carlina Rivera (@CarlinaRivera) August 13, 2024

The store called High Light Smoke Shop seems to say that it is permanently closed online, but when they get to the location it is clear that they are open and selling cannabis products. That’s why they said even though they haven’t closed it yet, it’s already in the hands of the sheriff’s office.

“The thing is that the process of closing the stores is very difficult,” said the councilwoman, “It is very difficult to maintain, because we have new laws in the state and we have to be working with the mayor and the sheriff of the city, they open in the neighborhoods and it is difficult to get a legal permit.

Currently, more than 900 illegal stores have been closed, including about $41 million in goods, and at least $65 million in fines have been issued, according to the high office. -factor.

Councilwoman Rivera says there are over two thousand illegal marijuana stores in the city and only 150 legal licenses to sell marijuana in stores across the state.

“Now the products have cartoons, things that are aimed at young people. Now we have tests on children under 18 comparing results…

Legal marijuana dispensaries are prohibited from operating within 500 feet of a school or 200 feet of a religious institution, but an apparently illegal store is located across the street from a school for special needs children.

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