New York State has been cracking down on illegal marijuana shops without permits since new laws were implemented in April. In the past month, the state and city governments have collectively shut down over 500 illegal operators, leading to a 27% increase in sales for legal vendors.
Governor Hochu and Mayor Adams held a press conference on June 18 at John Jay College of Criminal Justice to announce the successful crackdown on illegal marijuana businesses.
The state legislature included provisions in the 2025 fiscal year budget passed in April, granting enforcement agencies and local governments the power to close down illegal operators. Mayor Adams announced the launch of “Operation Padlock to Protect” on May 7 to strengthen inspections and shut down tobacco or marijuana shops selling products without a license. Governor Hochu established the Cannabis Enforcement Task Force on May 21, led by the state’s deputy chief of police, to combat the illegal marijuana market with various state agencies and urged landlords to evict illegal operators or face severe penalties.
Mayor Adams stated that since the launch of “Operation Padlock to Protect,” around 400 out of approximately 2,800 illegal marijuana shops in the city have been closed, with confiscated illegal marijuana valued at $13.3 million, and over $30 million in fines imposed on violators. Governor Hochu also announced that the Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has closed down 114 illegal marijuana shops across New York State outside of the city, seizing illegal marijuana worth over $29.3 million. From the first week of May to the first week of June, the sales of 24 legal vendors in the enforcement area increased by $1 million, with a 27% growth rate. Total legal marijuana sales amounted to $160 million last year, surpassing $200 million already this year.
Since the legalization of marijuana in New York State, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has been slow in issuing permits, with only 135 legal marijuana shops established statewide to date. This delay has allowed illegal marijuana shops to expand rapidly, capturing a significant market share. Governor Hochu and Mayor Adams have pledged to expedite the closure of unlicensed marijuana shops to support the growth of legal businesses. Despite the closure of 500 establishments by the state and city since the crackdown began in April, there is still a considerable gap given the thousands of illegal operators across the state.