Aug. 2, 2024 By Anthony Medina A targeted operation launched in May to shut down illegal smoke shops has led to the shuttering of over 195 locations in Queens and hundreds more throughout the five boroughs, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced at a press conference in the Bronx Wednesday. The Mayor’s announcement…
May. 1, 2024 By Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato I am currently writing this in the early hours after intensely debating the State Budget. As your State representative, I have been working to pass fiscal policies that represent the needs of our community. Moments ago, our community scored a tremendous victory as I voted yes and…
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Apr. 2, 2024 By Anthony Medina An ‘Operation Smokeout’ campaign spearheaded by Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar has brought multiple rallies across the city to advocate for passage of the “SMOKEOUT Act,” ahead of the bill’s anticipated success this month. Rajkumar, who represents District 38 in the New York State Assembly, introduced the SMOKEOUT Act early this…
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Mar. 15, 2024 By Anthony Medina Authorities seized hundreds of untaxed cigarettes and nearly 40 pounds of marijuana products on Thursday, March 14, during a nighttime bust of a convenience store located next to the Ozone Park district office of Council Member Joann Ariola. The raid of the 93-08 101st Ave. store stemmed from a…
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Feb. 28, 2024 By Anthony Medina A neighborhood dispute between a Queens state Senator and a smoke shop caught illegally selling cannabis last year boiled over this month, with law enforcement placing a restraining order on the business’ storefront. Magic Pack, a smoke shop located at 84-17 Jamaica Ave., has been shut down by authorities and is unlikely to reopen after State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) called for its closure and began working with law enforcement last year to make it happen. Addabbo collaborated with the NYPD and NYC Sheriff’s office to close Magic Pack down, which is…
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Jan. 4, 2024 By Anthony Medina A new bill sponsored by Queens Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar aims to shut down smoke shops that are illegally selling cannabis in New York City. Rajkumar’s bill, called the SMOKEOUT Act (A8428), was introduced in Albany last week, and would grant local municipalities the power to close smoke shops caught illegally selling cannabis. Currently, the industry is primarily policed on a state level and enforcement has been limited. The bill aims to address the public’s concern about the proliferation of illegal smoke shops, which have emerged since cannabis use was legalized in 2021. “My…
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Aug. 15, 2023 By Bill Parry While it remains difficult to pinpoint the exact number of illegal smoke shops and unlicensed cannabis dispensaries that have proliferated across Queens, it is estimated that more than 8,000 are operating citywide. On Monday a new law was enacted that gives the authorities the power to fine landlords for…
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May. 16, 2023 By Carlotta Mohamed
Southeast Queens residents filled the auditorium at P.S. 270 in Rosedale on Thursday, May 11, for a town hall discussion with local electeds and NYPD officials on how to protect their neighborhoods from the harmful effects of illegal smoke shops.