Early in May, New York City launched the start of a five-borough operation to shut down unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops. This initiative named “Operation Padlock to Protect” gives law enforcement the ability to inspect smoke and cannabis shops and padlock those caught unlawfully selling cannabis. The new enforcement powers and legal authority was granted by the state.
“The proliferation of unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops in New York City is one of the biggest quality of life issues facing New Yorkers,” said Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin, chief advisor to Mayor Eric Adams. “These shops are especially dangerous to children, and have been a major impediment to the financial stability of legal cannabis dispensaries.”
After week one of Padlock to Protect, the mayor reported the following results: 77 cease and desist orders; 75 shops sealed; 370 notices of violations holding 3,878 counts of violations across NYPD, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and the Sheriff’s Office; and $5,960,000 in civil penalties issued. Of the 75 shops sealed, 14 were in Brooklyn.
The threat of shutdown has had its effect on shops of this type that weren’t officially shuttered. Signage began to be taken down or replaced with more bodega-centric versions, some shops closed — with most closings looking temporary. After about a week of being closed for business, many of these unlicensed shops gradually reopened, usually after 6 p.m.
Prior to securing municipal enforcement powers against unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops, the Adams administration formed the New York City Sheriff’s Office Joint Compliance Task Force to Address Illegal Smoke Shops in coordination with state and city authorities. This task force conducted enforcement against unlicensed establishments selling cannabis, cannabis-infused edibles, illegal vaping products, illegal cigarettes, and other illegal tobacco products, and, since forming, has imposed almost $108 million in penalties — including an estimated $33 million in illegal products seized and over $75 million in civil penalties issued — and conducted more than 2,100 compliance and intelligence inspections.
Additionally, the task force sent letters to 603 landlords and owners of buildings across the five boroughs warning that they could be legally liable for the continued unlicensed sale of cannabis or tobacco products by their tenants. Between last summer and last month, the city filed two lawsuits in federal and state court against a total of 15 e-cigarette distributors that operate as the upstream suppliers of illegal, exotic-flavored, disposable e-cigarettes to the same retail vape and smoke shops, as well as convenience stores that are the target of “Operation Padlock to Protect.”
To report an unlicensed or illegal smoke shop call 311 or visit the 311 webpage here: https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03536
The Greenline 