HARLEM, N.Y. (PIX11) — Neighbors are working to smoke out illegal cannabis shops in New York City.
With discussions happening in Albany, neighbors are sending a message to lawmakers about the illegal shops.
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Several pieces of legislation are being discussed as part of the state budget to give the city more authority to crack down and close illegal locations.
A group of neighbors and community members met outside a shop on 125th Street in Harlem on Thursday morning. It’s located directly across the street from a legal shop.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called the rollout a disaster. The number of illegal shops outnumbers the adult-use cannabis retailers currently and officially licensed by the state. It could be as high as 35,000 illegal shops.
There are 110 legal shops in the state. New York State Cannabis Control Board has issued an additional 403 licenses in 2024.
The Office of General Services is conducting a review of the Office of Cannabis Management.