Mayor Eric Adams has initiated a crackdown on illegal cannabis shops operating in Queens, with the closure of the unlicensed shop “Western Green” in Kew Gardens. Bags of illegal marijuana, including edibles marketed towards young people, were confiscated during the raid. This action is part of a new initiative to enforce a tougher state law that makes it easier to shut down the estimated 2,900 unlicensed cannabis shops in the city.
Community leaders in the area, including those on Community Board 9, have expressed their opposition to the opening of new state-licensed marijuana shops until all illegal operations are closed. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards noted that while many illegal shops are being shut down, authorities are still struggling to keep up with the large number that are operating without a license. Only 56 licensed cannabis suppliers exist in the city, with a total of 122 statewide.
During the raid at “Western Green,” packages of marijuana labeled in attractive packaging featuring images like Barbie were discovered. Licensed dispensaries are required to pay taxes and obtain their products from licensed sources, but the illegal cannabis found during this raid is believed to have come from sources in California, Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East. In addition to marijuana, flavored vapes which are outlawed were also found in the shop.
An illegal “Pre-Roll” store on Jamaica Avenue sold cannabis packaged in a manner that resembled “Stewart’s Fountain Classics” ice cream bars. This stands in stark contrast to the regulations imposed on licensed cannabis sellers, who are prohibited from using packaging that could appeal to individuals under 21. Licensed stores were recently instructed to remove certain products with packaging that may attract young people, such as those that resemble the branding of other well-known products.
In response to criticisms of the Office of Cannabis Management, Governor Kathy Hochul has called for an overhaul of the agency to speed up the licensing process for legal cannabis stores. This comes after a report was released highlighting issues with the agency’s performance. The crackdown on illegal cannabis shops in Queens is part of a larger effort to enforce laws and regulations surrounding the legal sale of marijuana. These actions aim to protect consumers, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of illegal and unregulated cannabis products.
