--- title: Judge rules against NYC in crackdown on unlicensed cannabis shops description: NYC judge rules against the city's crackdown on unlicensed cannabis shops, deeming it unconstitutional and raising significant questions about Mayor Adams' enforcement program. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20cannabis%20shop%20operating%20without%20a%20license%20in%20Queens%2c%20NYC%20was%20shut%20down%20by%20the%20city%2c%20but%20a%20judge%20ruled%20it%20unconstitutional%2c%20allowing%20all%20closed%20store.jpeg --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # Judge rules against NYC in crackdown on unlicensed cannabis shops - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - 30 October 2024 **NEW YORK **- A judge in Queens has ruled that the city shutting down a cannabis shop that was operating without a license was unconstitutional.  The decision calls into serious question the Mayor Eric Adams' enforcement program, Operation Padlock to Protect. That operation has closed down some 1,000 stores without cannabis licenses.  A state supreme court judge ruled that a business on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens that was shut down was denied due process, and that the program that allowed the sheriff to decide whether to keep the store closed for up to a year is unconstitutional.  An attorney for the plaintiff says the decision will allow every store that has been shut down to reopen immediately and to sue for damages associated with the closing of the store.  ## Mayor's office vows to appeal The mayor's office said the city will appeal the ruling, saying "illegal smoke shops and their products endanger young New Yorkers and quality of life." The city says it will continue to padlock illicit storefronts. An attorney for the plaintiff says he is confident an appellate court will uphold the ruling. It's not the first time a judge has ruled against the city in regards to the crackdown. In August, a judge allowed a Bayside bodega accused of selling cannabis to reopen. Operation Padlock to Protect began in early May after state lawmakers on unlicensed cannabis shops.    [by Dick Brennan](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/operation-padlock-to-protect-ruling/) [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) [![New York regulators raid unlicensed Marijuana stores, enact new rules](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/New%20York%20regulators%20raid%20unlicensed%20Marijuana%20stores%2c%20enact%20new%20rules.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=New%20York%20regulators%20raid%20unlicensed%20Marijuana%20stores%2c%20enact%20new%20rules.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/new-york-regulators-raid-unlicensed-marijuana-stores-enact-new-rules) - [Admin](https://420intel.com/blog/author/admin) - 7 March 2024 #### [New York regulators raid unlicensed Marijuana stores, enact new rules](https://420intel.com/blog/new-york-regulators-raid-unlicensed-marijuana-stores-enact-new-rules) ## New York regulators raid unlicensed marijuana stores, enact new rules In fresh efforts to clamp... [Cannabis Business News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-business-news) [![Rejected Albert Lea Cannabis Business Can Appeal](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20street%20scene%20in%20Albert%20Lea%20Minnesota%20showcasing%20a%20bustling%20downtown%20area%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20modern%20storefront%20with%20large%20glass%20windows%20features%20a%20bright%20green%20sign%20that%20reads%20The%20Smoking%20Tree%20adorned%20with%20cannabis%20leaf%20mo-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20street%20scene%20in%20Albert%20Lea%20Minnesota%20showcasing%20a%20bustling%20downtown%20area%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20modern%20storefront%20with%20large%20glass%20windows%20features%20a%20bright%20green%20sign%20that%20reads%20The%20Smoking%20Tree%20adorned%20with%20cannabis%20leaf%20mo-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/rejected-albert-lea-cannabis-business-can-appeal) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 1 August 2025 #### [Rejected Albert Lea Cannabis Business Can Appeal](https://420intel.com/blog/rejected-albert-lea-cannabis-business-can-appeal) **Albert Lea, Minnesota** is at the center of an unfolding story in the state’s growing cannabis... [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![DEA Stalls Cannabis Rescheduling Again](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20bustling%20urban%20street%20scene%20is%20captured%20on%20a%20sunny%20afternoon%20where%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20people%20congregate%20outside%20a%20modern%20cannabis%20dispensary%20adorned%20with%20vibrant%20green%20and%20gold%20signage%20The%20storefront%20features%20large%20glass%20windows%20displaying%20an%20array.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=A%20bustling%20urban%20street%20scene%20is%20captured%20on%20a%20sunny%20afternoon%20where%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20people%20congregate%20outside%20a%20modern%20cannabis%20dispensary%20adorned%20with%20vibrant%20green%20and%20gold%20signage%20The%20storefront%20features%20large%20glass%20windows%20displaying%20an%20array.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/dea-stalls-cannabis-rescheduling-again) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 15 April 2025 #### [DEA Stalls Cannabis Rescheduling Again](https://420intel.com/blog/dea-stalls-cannabis-rescheduling-again) The US Cannabis Roundtable (USCR), one of the most influential advocacy groups in the country, is... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-30T13:24:15.562Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-30T13:24:15.000Z", "headline" : "Judge rules against NYC in crackdown on unlicensed cannabis shops", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20cannabis%20shop%20operating%20without%20a%20license%20in%20Queens%2c%20NYC%20was%20shut%20down%20by%20the%20city%2c%20but%20a%20judge%20ruled%20it%20unconstitutional%2c%20allowing%20all%20closed%20store.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/judge-rules-against-nyc-in-crackdown-on-unlicensed-cannabis-shops", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```