Despite a judge ruling some smoke shop shutdowns have been illegal, New York City is moving forward with “Operation Padlock to Protect.”
Since May 2024, over 1,631 illegal smoke shops in the five boroughs have been ordered to shut down, and $113,886,467 worth of illegal weed has been seized, according to authorities.
Some New Yorkers say they’re glad to see the businesses shut down, but the crackdown has faced some pushback.
Over 200 shuttered smoke shops suing NYC for abuse of authority
“This theory that marijuana has to be shuttered, these stores that are selling products that are not licensed by New York state, is an absolute farce,” said Brooklyn attorney Lance Lazzaro, who represents more than 200 shuttered smoke shops that are suing the city…