Landmark legislation will facilitate the loss of tobacco, liquor, or gaming licenses of businesses found to be selling illegal cannabis
Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr., along with State Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and community advocates held a press conference to highlight critical legislation to bolster good standing community businesses by targeting retailers, smoke shops, bodegas, and delis where illicit cannabis is being sold.
“Law enforcement has been working hard to combat the proliferation of these illegal cannabis shops with one arm tied behind their back," said Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. "When I was elected to office, I made a promise to hear my community and focus legislation on issues that would best benefit them. The prevalence of businesses that believe that they are above the law and sell unregulated and illegal cannabis stops now. The revocation of licenses to sell tobacco, liquor, and lottery tickets lets them know we're taking the issue seriously because we're hitting them where it hurts: their pocketbooks."
Since taking office in January 2023, Assemblymember Zaccaro, community organizations, and local elected officials have worked closely with the New York City Sheriff’s Joint Compliance Task Force and the Office of Cannabis Management to reduce the number of stores that sell illicit cannabis and tobacco products.
To date in the Bronx, the task force has conducted more than 280 inspections, levied fines of more than $11 million, seized more than $4 million of illicit products, made 57 arrests, seized 409 pounds of cannabis flower/pre-rolls, 7, 353 packages of THC edibles, and 14 edged and other weapons. This legislation is one more tool to keep bad actors from infiltrating our neighborhoods and protecting those who follow the law.
"It is critical that we uphold the progress we've made in establishing a fair and equitable cannabis market in New York state. Businesses engaging in illegal cannabis sales not only undermine the legal cannabis market but also put the health and safety of our communities at risk. This legislation is an important step in holding these unethical businesses accountable and protecting the well-being of our communities. By allowing for the revocation of licenses for businesses involved in illegal cannabis sales, this legislation will strengthen the enforcement of New York's cannabis laws and ensure a level playing field for all businesses,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes commented, “We need to utilize every approach possible to shut down illicit cannabis operations once and for all. Illegal cannabis sales are placing public safety at risk and stealing much needed investments into communities devastated by the war on drugs. Eradicating illegal sales is critical to the ongoing success of licensed cannabis businesses who have followed all the rules. If you are selling cannabis illegally, you should not have the ability to sell tobacco, alcohol, or lottery through a State license or registration. I applaud Assemblyman Zaccaro and Senator Bailey for introducing A9520/S8847 and am proud to support this legislation.”
This bill would allow for the revocation of licenses to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol and lottery tickets for the possession or sale of illicit cannabis in violation of the cannabis law. If a retail dealer in cigarettes or tobacco products, or their agent, possesses or sells illicit cannabis their state-issued license is subject to a revocation period ranging from a period of one year for a first offense, increasing in severity to a period of revocation for five years for a third offense within five years.
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