State Assembly Members Rajkumar and Benedetto Hold Bronx 'Smokeout Act' Rall in Pelham Bay.

Friday March 29th was the Bronx 'Smokeout Act Rally' in Pelham Bay directly across the street from an (alleged illegal) Smoke Shop located at 3030 Westchester Avenue, and within walking distance of several other similar Smoke Shops according to Assemblyman Benedetto.  

 

Assemblywoman Rajkumar who was not in office when the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31, 2021 legalizing adult-use cannabis said there is not enough enforcement of the MRTA because there is only a limited amount of enforcement by only state authorized enforcement agents. The Smokeout Act (Stop Marijuana Overproliferation and Keep Empty Operators of Unlicensed Transactions), would allow local police and municipalities across the State to have the authority to close illegal smoke shops and seize all merchandise. She added that there are about 36,000 statewide including 2,000 in New York City, and that the state is losing millions of tax revenue from them.   

When asked why local City Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato was not at the Smokeout Rally since she is fighting two of these Smoke Shops on Williamsbridge Road in Assemblyman Benedetto's district, his answer was that she was not invited. As for the dwindling number of police officers in the NYPD and increased response times, Assemblywoman Rajkumer said Mayor Adams has assured that the NYPD could handle the illegal smoke shop situation if the NYPD was given the authority.     

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumer speaks about legislation she has sponsored called the Smokeout Act, to allow local municipalities including the NYPD to close illegal smoke shops. 

Assemblyman Michael Benedetto speaks of the proliferation of smoke shops in his district. Behind the rally is one such smoke shop.

This smoke shop at 3030 Westchester Avenue was behind the Bronx Smokeout Rally.