UES Council Member Takes Pot Shot At Illegal Pot Shops

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Julie Menin wants New Yorkers to do less of the puff puff and more of the pass — at least when it comes to illegal cannabis shops.

A new piece of legislation introduced by the Upper East Side city council member would initiate a new public awareness campaign about the dangers of purchasing cannabis products at illicit pot shops.

Products at unlicensed shops, Menin's office said, have been found to contain hazardous substances, like lead, salmonella, E. coli and pesticides, which put their users at risk.

"By implementing this public awareness campaign, we are taking a proactive step to safeguard our youth and the public from the health risks associated with unlicensed cannabis retailers," said Menin. "An educational campaign will empower consumers to make informed choices and ensure their well-being."

Illegal shops have proliferated around the city, with officials slow to react. Part of the issue, according to cannabis industry advocates, is the lack of legal options for people looking to purchase cannabis, which creates a windfall for the black market sellers.

On Tuesday night, a potential legal cannabis store told Community Board 8 that because his shop is opening in Lenox Hill, the number of illegal shops in the area will decrease since officials and business owners will have a greater incentive to ensure a legalized marketplace can thrive.

But that might not come anytime soon.

Due to an Albany judge, all licenses for legal cannabis shops have been suspended, leaving the number of legal shops citywide at just nine for an indefinite period.

That makes Menin's public awareness bill, a collaboration with the city's Health Department and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, even more crucial, according to her office.

“My office is consistently inundated with reports from concerned constituents detailing the unchecked operations of unlicensed smoke shops," Menin said. "This legislation is designed to inform youths that these smoke shops, which often use cartoon images that can easily capture a young person’s attention, offer unsafe and unregulated products."

Numerous illegal shops have been raided on the Upper East Side since since last spring. Raids at three locations in August resulted in two arrests, numerous violations and summons, nearly $163,000 in penalties and lots of confiscated contraband, including almost 55 pounds of THC-infused edibles, Menin's office said.