Civic leaders in central Queens are pushing back against the approval of new licensed cannabis shops until illegal ones in the area are shut down. Community Board 9 has received numerous complaints from residents about the proliferation of illegal marijuana shops and the negative impact they have on the community. The board’s chairwoman, Sherry Algredo, has stated that they will not support any new applications until these illegal operations are eradicated.
Under the state law legalizing marijuana, applicants for cannabis licenses are required to notify and appear before the community board of the area in which they plan to open a shop. While the boards’ recommendations are advisory, they still hold influence over state regulators. Despite the passing of a tougher state law making it easier to padlock unlicensed cannabis shops, enforcement has not yet taken place. Many illicit pot shops have reopened immediately after raids and temporary shutdown orders.
City officials have hinted at a crackdown on illegal cannabis shops, with potential raids on dozens of locations expected to occur soon. City Sheriff Anthony Miranda stated that cannabis cops raided 20 to 25 unlicensed pot shops last week but are still working to shut down many more. With more than 2,000 illicit weed and smoke shops throughout the five boroughs, officials have a significant amount of work to do. Community boards have been reviewing applications for state cannabis licenses and are wary of approving too many even legal pot stores in their neighborhoods due to concerns about quality of life.
Critics of cannabis shops in the community have complained about issues such as the smell and fears that the products might attract children. Community Board 13 in southern Brooklyn has opposed all six current applications mainly due to concerns about location. Licensed cannabis dispensaries are required to adhere to location-based rules, including being at least 500 feet away from a school and 200 feet away from a house of worship. Community Board 6 in The Bronx has also opposed all of its applications, citing violations of these rules.
The state cannabis control board is set to meet to discuss the enforcement of the new state law, which allows local authorities to padlock illegal cannabis stores pending final administrative appeals. As the city works to crack down on illegal marijuana shops and consider applications for legal ones, community leaders are voicing their concerns and preferences for maintaining the integrity and safety of their neighborhoods. The ongoing debate over the presence of cannabis shops in various communities reflects a larger conversation about the impact of marijuana legalization on local areas and the efforts to regulate the industry effectively.
