By:  Don Driggers

New York State authorities have obtained a court order to permanently close Big Chief Smoke Shop, an illegal marijuana dispensary in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood. This marks the first establishment to be permanently padlocked for selling marijuana products without a license. Despite previous closures for operating without a state license, Big Chief continued to reopen, prompting action from state authorities, NY Post reported.

Governor Kathy Hochul expressed satisfaction with shutting down the illicit weed dealer, located at 7323 Third Avenue, in collaboration with state Attorney General Letitia James. The store, known for selling cannabis without a license, defied orders from the Office of Cannabis Management and other law enforcement agencies to cease operations.

The Office of Cannabis Management and the state Department of Taxation and Finance conducted inspections on two occasions, seizing over 600 pounds of untested flowered marijuana and other cannabis products valued at $6.7 million. Community leaders in Bay Ridge, including the local community board, had registered numerous complaints against Big Chief. Councilman Justin Brannan mentioned persistent issues with the shop repeatedly closing and reopening.

Under the revised cannabis law approved earlier in the year, Governor Hochul and the legislature empowered Attorney General James to file a petition seeking an emergency order to immediately close Big Chief Smoke Shop. The petition also aims to impose penalties on the store owner, potentially amounting to millions of dollars, for violating the cannabis law.

Attorney General James emphasized the health risks posed by unlicensed cannabis stores selling unregulated products and the importance of adhering to rules and regulations, including fair tax contributions. The penalties sought include fines of up to $10,000 for each day of selling cannabis without a license and up to $20,000 for each day of continued operation after receiving a cease order from the Office of Cannabis Management.

While Big Chief is the first to face permanent closure, authorities have already shut down eight other unlicensed marijuana shops outside the city. However, challenges persist, with an estimated 1,500 illegal pot shops operating in New York City, according to Mayor Eric Adams and Sheriff Anthony Miranda. Despite progress, state regulators acknowledge the need for further efforts to address the ongoing issue.

The cannabis industry in New York has faced challenges, including a slow and tumultuous rollout due to lawsuits following the legalization of cannabis sales in 2021.

A discrimination lawsuit alleging preferential treatment towards convicted pot felons over disabled veterans in license awards was recently settled by the Hochul administration and the cannabis control board. Legal obstacles, including a court injunction in August, temporarily halted new licensing and store openings, but with recent resolutions, state regulators are expected to expedite approvals and the opening of new licensed cannabis shops in the coming months. The extreme left wing obsession with quotas has essentially created a mess in NY state.