City now has power to padlock illegal cannabis stores

New York state has given New York City the authority to shut down and lock up shops in the area that are illegally selling cannabis products.

While this change aims to provide relief for those who are conducting cannabis business legally, some owners are worried that they’ll be bankrupt before the problem gets fixed.

Hii Dispensary is the first legal recreational dispensary to open in Williamsburg. It’s along Bedford Avenue – where there are at least six other stores advertising cannabis that aren’t verified on the state Office of Cannabis Management website.

“There’s two of them opening up while I’m opening… they’re strategizing, they’re trying to push me out,” said Hii Dispensary’s owner. “If no one will help me, what am I supposed to do?”

The city’s Sheriff’s Office will be spearheading the enforcement on the illegal cannabis stores.