"Pro-pot politicians frustrated as illegal weed shops flourish in NYC"
New York lawmakers who supported the legalization of marijuana in 2021 are now expressing frustration over the proliferation of unlicensed pot shops in their districts. They complain that little is being done to address the issue, which they see as undermining the legal market and posing a public health risk, especially for young people. Opponents of marijuana legalization argue that the lawmakers themselves failed to address enforcement measures when approving the law. Suggestions for addressing the problem include faster closure of illegal shops, involving the NYPD in enforcement, and revising the law to give more authority to city agencies and prosecutors.
