Administration Continues to Work in Close Partnership with State to Ensure Just and Equitable Rollout of Legal Cannabis Market
Interagency Task Force Comprised of Sheriff’s Office, NYPD, DCWP, and Office of Cannabis Management Seized More Than $4 Million Worth of Illegal Products During Two-Week Pilot
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today took action to promote a more equitable cannabis market by announcing the results of a two-week interagency pilot conducting enforcement against unlicensed establishments selling cannabis, cannabis-infused edibles, illegal vaping products, illegal cigarettes, and other illegal tobacco products. The pilot program — conducted jointly by the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) — resulted in the seizure of more than $4 million worth of products being sold illegally and the issuance of 566 civil and criminal summonses.
“We will not let the economic opportunities that legal cannabis offers be taken for a ride by unlicensed establishments,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we are not only announcing the seizure of $4 million in products that were being sold illegally to New Yorkers. Thanks to this joint interagency task force pilot, the city and the state collaborated to crack down on bad actors who are putting New Yorkers’ — particularly young people’s — health and safety at risk, and who sought to cut the line and undermine the legal market. It's high time that unlicensed stores stopped selling illegal products and comply with the law.”
The Cannabis NYC Interagency Enforcement Task Force was a two-week pilot program to align efforts between the city and state on enforcement against establishments selling illegal cannabis, vaping, and tobacco products. The pilot was conducted the week of November 14th to November 19th, and the week of November 28th to December 3rd.
The results of the task force included:
- Inspections of 53 locations throughout the five boroughs.
- Seizure of more than 100,000 illegal products, totaling an estimated retail value of $4,143,647.
- Issuance of 500 civil violations and 66 criminal summonses.
- Two felony arrests and one arrest on an outstanding warrant.
“The New York City sheriff’s task force was successful in seizing hundreds of illegal products that were being sold by unlicensed businesses, many of which had the potential to endanger the health and safety of the public,” said New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda. “We have an obligation to support the legal cannabis industry and create a fair opportunity for legal dispensaries to succeed, and that means taking enforcement action against those who continue to operate illegally by selling contraband and evading taxes. The collective efforts of the task force, under the direction of Mayor Adams, sends a clear message to illegal businesses that their actions will not be tolerated, and it will be necessary for them to comply with licensing laws.”
“The NYPD has been working very closely with our many public and private partners, in the city and in the state, in support of this important initiative,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “As we move forward regarding this ongoing issue, the NYPD remains a committed partner, steadfast in its mission of upholding the law and improving public safety for all in New York City.”
“Selling tobacco and e-cigarette products without a license is not only illegal, but it puts the health of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones at risk,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “DCWP will not hesitate to hold unlicensed tobacco and e-cigarette retailers accountable for violating the law. Thank you to Mayor Adams and Sheriff Miranda for launching this multiagency effort to protect the health and safety of our fellow New Yorkers.”
“Mayor Adams launched Cannabis NYC to support New Yorkers and justice-involved individuals who want to build and operate legitimate, thriving cannabis businesses,” said Cannabis NYC Founding Director Dasheeda Dawson. “We have an opportunity to become a global hub of industry excellence in education and equity, but we must protect that opportunity for all New Yorkers, particularly the communities most harmed by cannabis prohibition. The Cannabis NYC Interagency Enforcement Taskforce not only tackles a growing public health and safety concern, but also ensures that those jeopardizing the success of New York’s equity-centered legalization will face fines, penalties, and other civil consequences. The Adams administration is committed to enforcing the law without criminalizing communities targeted by the racially fueled policies of prohibition.”
“Interagency collaboration is one the many strengths of this administration, and this task force is proof of that,” said New York City Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “It is imperative that we protect the cannabis entrepreneurs working hard to build up a regulated cannabis industry. SBS is here to support every small business choosing to play by the rules.”
The Adams administration is committed to promoting the growth of an equitable cannabis industry in New York City, in concert with state partners. In August, Mayor Adams and the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) announced the launch of Cannabis NYC, a first-of-its-kind initiative to provide a broad suite of services to industry stakeholders and those looking to participate in the legal cannabis market. Mayor Adams also announced the appointment of Dasheeda Dawson — a nationally renowned cannabis advocate, who played a pivotal role in the passage of the New York Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — to lead the initiative.
“Governor Hochul has made clear that we cannot be a legal, regulated market operating side-by-side with an illicit market that puts public health at risk, does not contribute to our communities, and undermines our goal to build the most equitable and inclusive cannabis market in the nation,” said Chris Alexander, executive director, New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “We’re thankful for this partnership with New York City in helping to shutter these illicit operators, as we are with similar partnerships across the state, and our efforts to shutdown these stores and trucks will continue to expand.”
No comments:
Post a Comment