Smoke shops raids continued across the borough in recent weeks in efforts to crack down on unlicensed premises. The office of Democratic City Council Member Marjorie Velázquez (C.D. 13) and the New York City Sheriff’s Office said they carried out retail inspections on Tuesday, Nov. 14, of Williamsbridge and Westchester Square stores to combat the proliferation of the unlicensed and unregulated sale of cannabis.

 

They said following these inspections, the Sheriff’s Office and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection seized 15.6 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, 3,956 packages of other tobacco products, 1,222 flavored vape products, 374 THC vapes, 432 packages of THC flower weighing a total of 3.39 pounds, 1,207 THC pre-rolls weighing a total of 3.6 pounds, and 396 packages of THC edibles weighing 39.6 pounds.

 

They said that during the inspection, NYC Sheriff Anthony Miranda and his team made one arrest, issued five C summonses, six notices of violation (NOVs), with 30 violations and 200 counts of violations, and an estimated $209,800 in penalties. They said Miranda will continue to work with all agencies to ensure communities are safe for all New Yorkers.

 

According to the NY court system, a criminal court summons, also known as a “pink ticket,” is issued by law enforcement for violating certain laws. Most people who receive a summons are not arrested and fingerprinted unless they fail to show identification.

Velázquez, chair of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection, who recently conceded the District 13 City Council general election held on Nov. 7 to Republican Kirsty Marmoroto, as reported, said, “The health and safety of my community is a top priority, and we must continue to work with Sheriff Miranda and the Joint Compliance Task Force to hold the businesses accountable for their actions.”

 

She added, “What was discovered during this inspection is proof that we must do more to protect our neighborhoods, especially our youth, from unregulated and illegal cannabis and tobacco products. I will continue to advocate for accountability across our city and work with my government partners, so our community is safe. Thank you, Sheriff Miranda, for your support, and I look forward to continuing our work shortly.”

 

Meanwhile, as reported, the office of Democratic assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80) and the New York County Sheriff’s office carried out two raids on two businesses on White Plains Road in Pelham Parkway that were suspected of illegally selling tobacco and cannabis products on Monday, Sept. 18.

 

A first round of raids had already been carried out in conjunction with the assembly member’s office by the New York City Sheriff’s Department on smoke shops in the Allerton section of The Bronx for the same purpose.

Zaccaro Jr. said the first round of raids took place at 649 Allerton Avenue (the 200 Healthy Deli Corp), at 686-688 Allerton Avenue (the BX Convenience & Smoke Store Corp),and at 800 Allerton Avenue (the Allerton Ave Smoke Shop Inc).

 

He said investigations into these businesses yielded two arrests, four C-summons, six (6) Notice of Violations with 32 violations and 196 counts of violations, an estimated $223,700 in penalties, 14.5 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, 3,392 packages of other tobacco products, 1,824 flavored vape products, 190 THC Vapes, 2,009 packages of THC flowers weighing a total of 39.38lbs, 1,750 THC pre-rolls weighing a total of 4.44 pounds, and 367 packages of THC edibles weighing a total of 38.6 pounds.

 

“Today is a reckoning for those who have chosen to circumvent the law and target our most vulnerable citizens and children by acquiring and selling cannabis and tobacco products illegally”, said Zaccaro, Jr. “I am proud to partner with the New York County Sheriff’s Department and be at the forefront of a broader effort to curb the sale of illegal tobacco and cannabis products.”

For his part, Miranda said, “The Sheriff’s office will continue to work collaboratively with other city agencies to combat the proliferation of unlicensed smoke shops in New York City. Community safety and public health are our top priority.”

 

According to City and State officials, the raids are part of a larger, ongoing, community-based mission to crack down, in conjunction with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), as well as with numerous City and State agencies, on smoke shops selling cannabis and tobacco products without a state-issued license.

Smoke shops found to be in possession of and selling of illegal cannabis and tobacco products face stiff fines, forfeiture of the illegally obtained products, and revocation of any current or pending licenses, among other penalties, officials said.

 

As previously reported, on Aug. 28, 2022, the Mayor’s office announced that New Yorkers could apply for State cannabis retail dispensary licenses, adding that licenses for those most harmed by cannabis prohibition would be prioritized.

 

On Oct. 6, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden announced he was pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. “There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result,” he said. “My pardon will remove this burden.”

 

For more information click here, and here, and to read our story on the Bronx Cannabis Forum held in the borough last year, click here. As reported, Bronx Community Board 7 (CB7) recently announced that a public hearing regarding adult-use retail cannabis dispensary license applications which was scheduled for Nov. 14 was canceled as all four applicants rescinded the notifications sent to Bronx CB7, meaning the applicants will not apply for the license.