Since the use of marijuana was legalized in the state of New York and the sale of cannabis in stores was authorized, in 2022, in the Big Apple and in multiple counties outside the city, an enormous proliferation of businesses began that sell all types of green grass related products. However, of the more than 1,500 retail stores that are estimated to have opened their doors in the five boroughs, more than 99% operate illegally, evading taxes and offering items without any type of inspection to ensure that they are not hazardous to health. , but his days could be numbered.
This was stated this Wednesday by the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, during a press conference in which she highlighted the commitment to promote measures that facilitate the closure of illegal retailers, where she warned that she hopes that the Legislature will give the green light in the coming days to pieces of law that give more powers to local authorities to close sites without a sales license.
“New York must take action to shut down illicit cannabis stores that remain open and operating across the state. “Strengthening New York’s equitable cannabis industry and protecting hard-working small business owners operating in the legal market are top priorities, and the best way to achieve those goals is to accelerate the closure of unlicensed stores,” the president said. state.
Hochul warned that in addition to protecting the health of buyers, it is urgent to defend small business owners who have followed the process to obtain operating licenses for their premises. And he noted that businesses operating without permits hinder the growth of New York’s legal marijuana industry and the retailers that operate there.
“Many times people have no idea which of these places are legal and which are illegal… we are not recriminalizing cannabis, nor are we knocking down doors and handcuffing people but we need to carry out a process of strengthening the law and defending equity “added the Governor, who insisted that from her office she is fighting hard to close the illegal cannabis market, which continues to grow, often selling untested products.
Part of the State’s plan to put a stop to illegal businesses, which are currently only subject to seizures but which can reopen in a couple of hours due to the lack of legal power that municipalities have to permanently close them, is to expand the authority of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and local government agencies to close stores that sell without a license.
“This will strengthen law enforcement authority, accelerate the closure of unlicensed stores and deter illicit activity,” says the State of New York, which hopes that the Legislature, in addition to giving the green light to expand the powers of the OCM to expedite the closure of illicit stores, authorize local governments to execute closure orders to ensure swift action to close unlicensed dispensaries, and establish local registries of licensed cannabis businesses to assist and empower local governments, including the City of New York, to block unlicensed businesses through its own laws and resources.
The Governor also “pulled the ears” of social networks and internet search engines like Google, for listing illegal marijuana stores when someone searches for places to get cannabis, and asked them to join the efforts against illicit retailers, not showing them on the searches of netizens.
“Social media and big tech companies have aided in the promotion of unlicensed stores and knowingly allowed illegal stores to advertise online, undermining New York’s efforts to build a safe and equitable cannabis industry.” said the president’s office, noting that technology companies must prohibit the promotion of unlicensed stores that sell potentially dangerous products on their platforms.
Alfredo Angueira, co-owner of the ConBud store, one of fewer than 20 licensed stores in the Big Apple, warned that the economic impact of the illicit cannabis market affects not only retailers but also legal farmers and dispensaries and neighborhoods.
“From lost tax revenue to diminished investment opportunities, the presence of illicit operators diverts tax dollars dedicated to the communities where legal dispensaries are located and takes valuable resources from our communities, stifling growth. and prosperity,” said the small businessman. “The fight against the illicit cannabis market is a fight for the future of our communities and our economy. By working together to root out illicit operators, support local farmers and promote responsible regulation, we can build a stronger, safer and more equitable cannabis industry for generations to come.”
Sandra Jaquez, vice president of the Latin Cannabis Association, said that with the rise and competition of illegal stores, those businesses that have done things correctly to open 70 dispensaries throughout the State, it is a challenge to survive in the market and urged that tools be soon approved to put illegal stores out of business.
“Our association supports Governor Hochul’s proposal to take decisive action against these illegal operations to protect consumers, support legal businesses and defend the integrity of our thriving cannabis industry, and we urge legislators to also support the plan.” said the Hispanic businesswoman, warning that if laws are not promoted that facilitate the closure of illicit sites, the black market for the sale of cannabis would be perpetuated.
The executive director of Cannabis Place, Osbert Orduña, joined this same clamor, who stressed the need to promote combined efforts to build a legal, safe and regulated market for consumers that defends true social and economic equity.
“Together we can send a powerful message that unlicensed cannabis stores have no place in our communities and that we are committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers,” said the business leader. legal. “It is imperative that the Legislature, regulatory agencies and local governments work collaboratively to ensure the integrity and success of New York’s cannabis market.”
Facts about marijuana stores
- 1,500 or more commercial premises exist in the Big Apple
- 99% of them are illegal and sell products without control
- 20 or fewer marijuana businesses operate with the required license in the city
- There are 70 stores in total that have a license to operate throughout the state.
- 109 new marijuana business licenses were recently approved
- 38 of them to open sales dispensaries
- $183 million has left the legal marijuana industry since sales businesses were approved in NY