New York City Mayor Eric Adams submitted the op-ed article below to local NYC community media including Roosevelt Islander Online.
According to Mayor Eric Adams:
Community Op Ed: Cannabis Justice for All
Legalizing cannabis was a major step forward for equity and justice in our
city. But legalization is about following the new laws, not a free pass to
sell unregulated cannabis products.Over the last few months, illegal cannabis retailers have taken advantage of
decriminalization efforts, with unlicensed smoke shops popping up all over
the city. This Wild West attempt to gain market share will not be
tolerated. New York City has changed the laws, but we intend to enforce them
fairly, equitably, and thoroughly.For many years, people of color in our communities were routinely targeted
when it came to cannabis law enforcement. Cannabis criminalization was used
to harass, arrest, and prosecute our brothers and sisters.Advocates rightly pushed for an end to these practices, and fought hard to
put racial equity at the center of New York’s cannabis legalization efforts.
Past convictions were automatically expunged or suppressed. People with past
convictions for marijuana and their family members are being given priority
for these licenses. 50 percent of licenses have been set aside for social
and economic equity applicants.An open and democratic process resulted in the progress so many wanted to
see an end to the war on drugs mentality, the establishment of a safe
and sanctioned cannabis industry for adults, and a pathway to restorative
justice for those who were unfairly prosecuted in the past.Legal cannabis is expected to be a $1.3 billion industry that will create
thousands of jobs and generate approximately $40 million per year in tax
revenue for our city. And 40 percent of the tax revenues from legal cannabis
will be invested back in the communities that were most harmed by
prohibition.We have a moral obligation to make sure that the people who were adversely
affected by marijuan criminalization get their fair share of this emerging
market. Thats part of the mission of the new CannabisNYC Office. This is a
city agency that will make New Yorkers aware of opportunities to participate
in this industry, promote equity, and help applicants navigate the licensing
process.In the last month, the first licensed cannabis dispensaries in our city have
opened for business. One is owned by a not-for-profit that supports people
living with H.I.V. and A.I.D.S., the other by a formerly incarcerated
entrepreneur who received priority for a license because he is one of
countless Black men who was harmed by the drug war in the 1990s.But these legitimate businesses are facing stiff competition from shops that
are not following the rules. Instead of respect for the law, what we have
seen recently is the proliferation of storefronts across New York City,
selling unlicensed, unregulated untaxed cannabis products.Those who flout the cannabis tax laws and regulations are robbing the very
communities that are finally on the cusp of benefiting from a just and
equitable system.We cannot allow that. Were not going to take two steps back by letting
illegal smoke shops take over this emerging market, especially when so many
of them are selling unlawful and unlicensed products that could seriously
harm consumers.It is time for the operation of illegal cannabis dispensaries to end.
Sheriff Miranda and our partners at the N.Y.P.D. recently took direct action
to counter this trend. Over a two-week enforcement blitz, the Sheriff’s
Office issued 566 violations and seized $4.1 million worth of product at 53
locations.And this week, the Manhattan District Attorneys Office sent letters to
approximately 400 unlicensed smoke shops in Manhattan. The letters state
that the city will commence legal eviction proceedings against commercial
tenants who are engaged in illegal business activity. That includes the
unlicensed sale of cannabis, the sale of untaxed cigarettes, and the sale of
adulterated products. If owners and landlords fail to initiate timely
eviction proceedings against these commercial tenants, the Sheriff’s Office
will take over and pursue eviction proceedings.While we are not ruling out criminal prosecutions for tax evasion, money
laundering, or the sale of cannabis to minors, the focus of this initiative
at this time is civil enforcement. We want to give New York’s legal cannabis
market a chance to thrive and deliver on the vision of safety, equity and
justice that advocates fought for so long.
CBS New York reported on Mayor Adams’ and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s efforts to stop illegal cannabis shops
and here’s the full February 7 announcement of their strategy.
