More unlicensed smoke and cannabis shops on the Upper East Side have been recently shuttered as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to weed out illicit sellers.
On Saturday, the NYPD’s 19th Precinct posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) showing law enforcement officers outside Sam’s Smoke Shop at 1777 First Avenue (between 91st and 92nd streets).
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“There’s no place for illegal cannabis shops in NYC!” the post says. “Today, ‘Operation Padlock to Protect’ Task Force is hard at work on the Upper East Side, shutting down illegal cannabis shops & seizing their illegal products to be destroyed! You asked & we’re listening!”
There’s no place for illegal cannabis shops in NYC!
Today, ‘Operation Padlock to Protect’ Task Force is hard at work on the Upper East Side, shutting down illegal cannabis shops & seizing their illegal products to be destroyed! You asked & we’re listening! pic.twitter.com/0SiRK6xSS4
— NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) September 14, 2024
Sam’s Smoke Shop was the latest target in the NYPD’s ongoing battle against unlicensed cannabis shops in the area.
When asked for details, the office for Council Member Julie Menin told East Side Feed in an email that three other shops were shuttered between August 20 and September 14: Pre Roll World Cannabis (1726 Second Avenue between 89th and 90th streets), Midtown Stationary (403 East 70th Street between York and First avenues), and East Side Smoke Shop (1680 First Avenue between 87th and 88th streets).
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“We have called for and accompanied the Sheriff’s office for the inspection and closure of unlicensed smoke shops across the district,” New York State Assembly member Rebecca Seawright told East Side Feed in an email. “With the passage of vital measures in Albany, our local 19th Precinct is now empowered to carry out this critical enforcement to keep our communities safe.”
Mayor Eric Adams, who initiated Operation Padlock to Protect in May, has claimed that his administration has sealed over 1,000 illegal locations and has seized roughly $63 million in illegal cannabis products. The operation spans all five boroughs and has empowered the New York City Sheriff’s office, along with other local law enforcement agencies, to lock up any smoke shops that are operating without a proper license.
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“Illegal cannabis shops and their products endanger our young people and our quality of life, and that’s why we are padlocking dangerous storefronts and protecting our children, families, and communities from these illegal operators,” Mayor Adams said in a statement on August 28. “Our successful efforts continue to keep our communities safe and create an environment where legal operators, who uphold public safety and realize the goals of social justice in the cannabis industry, are able to thrive. We are going to ensure that the future of legal cannabis burns bright in New York City.”
The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment.
Though the Upper East Side remains dotted with padlocked smoke shops, there are currently three legal cannabis dispensaries in the neighborhood: Bliss and Lex at 128 East 86th Street (between Lexington and Park avenues), The Herbal Care at 1412 Lexington Ave. (between 92nd and 93rd streets), and Lenox Hill Cannabis Co. at 334 East 73rd Street (between First and Second avenues).
Sheriffs not able to carry out these raids unassisted? NYPD diverted from street crime patrols.
Every time I hear someone use the word “cannabis”, I immediately suspect that they’re completely full of s^&*.
Which is very fitting for our mayor.
Said our Mayor “Our successful efforts continue to keep our communities safe and create an environment where legal operators, who uphold public safety and realize the goals of social justice in the cannabis industry, are able to thrive.” Excellent! We’ll achieve social justice by increasing acute long-term psychosis and schizophrenia in young users. This legalization policy has been rushed and has been a mess since day one.