Nearly 800 Weed Stores Shut Down In NYC Since April

NEW YORK CITY — Nearly 800 illegal marijuana shops have been shut down in New York City in the last three months, officials touted Wednesday.

The progress has been made due to the launch of “Operation Padlock to Protect” which has cracked down on unsanctioned weed stores.

In total, 779 shops have been closed since April, and more than 41,000 violations have been issued, resulting in more than $65 million in penalties.

Officials have seized more than $41 million in illegal products in the last three months.

Two drug busts resulted in a combined $8 million of illegal products being taken off city streets, according to officials.

"In the three months since launching 'Operation Padlock to Protect,' our administration has delivered major results on a major quality of life and public safety issue," Mayor Eric Adams said. "For too long, illegal shops have contributed to a feeling that anything goes on our streets, while targeting our most vulnerable - including children - with dangerous, counterfeit products marketed as candy.

More than 1,000 unlicensed stores have been shut down statewide, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.