BROOKLYN, NY – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) and State Assemblyman Mike Tannousis on October 28 called on New York City to crack down on illegally operating unlicensed marijuana dispensaries popping up next to residential homes, schools, and community centers in the Bay Ridge neighborhood.
“Unlicensed pot shops are beginning to show up next to our homes, schools, churches and community centers and it’s critically important for the city and the NYPD to enforce the law and shut these illegal operations down,” Congresswoman Malliotakis said. “With crime skyrocketing and drugs pouring across our porous southern border and into communities across America, the last thing we need is illegal dispensaries popping up on our street corners – especially when the products they are selling are not being regulated. The failure of our city to crack down on these illegal operations is putting the public’s health and quality of life at risk and they must be shut down immediately.”
In March 2021, the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law, however, New York has not administered any licenses, meaning all of the recreational marijuana dispensaries currently operating in the state are doing so illegally. Many shops are engaging in “gifting-schemes,” and in some cases, shop workers are unsure of the drugs they are selling.
“When this bill was introduced in the State Assembly, the Republican Conference – including myself –…
Original Author Link click here to read complete story..