NYC's Crackdown on Unlicensed Cannabis Stores Challenged by Court Ruling

In a significant enforcement effort, the New York City sheriff and police department have shut down nearly 1,000 stores accused of selling cannabis without a license over the past three months. However, a recent court ruling has raised questions about the legality of these actions. The ruling determined that the sheriff unlawfully kept a store padlocked even after the summons for selling cannabis was dismissed, suggesting that stores could remain open if they can prove cannabis sales were not a major part of their business. Attorney Lance Lazzaro, who represented the affected store, expressed concern that this ruling could jeopardize the entire Padlock to Protect program, which has been instrumental in the city’s crackdown on unlicensed cannabis sales. He emphasized that the decision could have far-reaching implications for all stores previously closed and those that may face similar actions in the future. One store owner, Abdulatif Ahmed, shared his experience after his bodega was raided by the NYPD in search of cannabis. Ahmed contended that the police only found two packets of marijuana belonging to his cashier and argued that the presence of cannabis does not equate to illegal sales. He criticized the enforcement actions, stating that he has been in business for 15 years and feels unjustly targeted. Additionally, Ahmed reported that police seized cash from his register without providing a voucher, leaving him uncertain about the amount taken. His case highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and local businesses amid New York's evolving cannabis regulations.