This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the proliferation of illegal smoke shops opening up in all Bronx communities. As reported, Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80) recently coordinated with law enforcement to carry out two different raids in his district, following complaints from residents about such smoke shops. Meanwhile, community boards across the City continue to assess the situation in efforts to balance everyone’s rights in the context of the license application process.

 

“All of these pot stores are open illegally without a license! Two things should happen. If a location opens and starts selling illegal pot, they should be banned from putting a licensed store there. Second, why is it necessary for someone to be convicted of breaking drug laws that they are the first to be rewarded with a license, when breaking or disobeying the law shows what kind of person you are.”

Sirio Guerino,

Norwood

“When it comes to the smoke shops, I think it really depends. On one side, it’s a good thing because you have people that are sick and might need it, but on the other side, kids have easy access to it, so it really depends. I think if they added more monitoring and restrictions, a bit more limitations would make it easier for everybody. But I mostly see kids going there. I don’t really see a lot of adults… I don’t see a lot of those stickers [QR code posted outside the store which denotes a licensed establishment] around.”

Anniqua Cooper,

Melrose

“This generation is so sidetracked, with everything about instant gratification. Because of the internet, their attention spans are shorter and now add everybody is smoked up, weeded up, because it’s everywhere, and it makes it normal to children when they see these places open everywhere.”

David Shark,

Harlem, NY

“The pandemic allowed the illicit market to thrive with smoke shops masked as bodegas, popping up across the city. While convenient, these smoke shops don’t offer the stringent standards that an actual dispensary would offer, nor do they vend the cannabis grown diligently by a new class of New York farmers. Dispensaries will clear communities of the illicit market while providing a safe, reliable, and locally grown product.”

Christian Amato,

Morris Park

 

“As a mother of two young children, it is surprising to see how quickly these shops have populated the community and those around me. They seem to be at every other shopping mall and synonymous to a bagel shop or dry cleaners. It makes me wonder how my children will view these establishments as they grow [and] more importantly, the influence it will have on their views of cannabis.”

Elvira Carpinteyro,

New Jersey

 

Editor’s Note: Read our previous coverage on this issue in relation to the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in New York here, here here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here. A further story is forthcoming on the smoke shop application process.