--- title: Judge rules law that shut down thousands of cannabis shops across New York City unconstitutional description: NYC judge rules law shutting down cannabis shops unconstitutional, allowing immediate reopening and potential lawsuits for damages. City plans to appeal, citing public safety concerns. image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20Queens%20judge%20ruled%20the%20law%20that%20shut%20down%20cannabis%20shops%20in%20NYC%20unconstitutional.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 law that shut down thousands of cannabis shops across New York City unconstitutional - [![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) - [Cannabis Business News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-business-news) - 31 October 2024 NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- A Queens judge ruled Tuesday that the local law that let New York City rapidly shut down more than 1,000 businesses accused of selling cannabis without licenses is unconstitutional because it denies shop owners their rights to due process. A statement from the attorney for Cloud Corner, who represents the business, said the judge's decision "validates what we have been arguing since this statute was enacted." "Mayor Adams, the City Council, and the Sheriff have violated the due process rights of every store owner that has been shutdown by the NYC Sheriff's office," the statement said. The statement adds that the decision will allow every store that has been shut down to be reopened immediately and to sue for damages associated with the closing of the store. A City Hall spokesperson said the Law Department has filed a notice of appeal in this case, claiming "Illegal smoke shops and their dangerous products endanger young New Yorkers and our quality of life." "Operation Padlock to Protect," which was given the green light by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul back in April, gave the city the power to padlock stores after just one inspection. Previously, an operator could continue to run the business during a year-long appeal process. The city says the operation has shut down over 1,200 illegal cannabis shops and seized over $82 million in illegal products.   [by ABC7NY](https://abc7ny.com/post/queens-judge-rules-nycs-operation-padlock-unconstitutional-after-shutting-down-thousands-cannabis-shops/15486528/) [Cannabis Business News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-business-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. - - - [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![Get Recreational Cannabis in Twin Cities!](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/beyza-yurtkuran-hmswpLTLQxk-unsplash.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=beyza-yurtkuran-hmswpLTLQxk-unsplash.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/get-recreational-cannabis-in-twin-cities) - [![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) - 18 September 2025 #### [Get Recreational Cannabis in Twin Cities!](https://420intel.com/blog/get-recreational-cannabis-in-twin-cities) The Twin Cities have officially gone green as several shops opened their doors this week to sell... [Recreational Cannabis News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) [![Albert Lea votes no to city’s first cannabis retailer](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20town%20square%20in%20Albert%20Lea%20Minnesota%20bustling%20with%20activity%20on%20a%20summer%20day%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20residents%20engages%20in%20animated%20discussions%20some%20holding%20signs%20expressing%20their%20opinions%20about%20cannabis%20retail%20w-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20depicts%20a%20vibrant%20town%20square%20in%20Albert%20Lea%20Minnesota%20bustling%20with%20activity%20on%20a%20summer%20day%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20residents%20engages%20in%20animated%20discussions%20some%20holding%20signs%20expressing%20their%20opinions%20about%20cannabis%20retail%20w-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/albert-lea-votes-no-to-citys-first-cannabis-retailer) - [![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) - 29 July 2025 #### [Albert Lea votes no to city’s first cannabis retailer](https://420intel.com/blog/albert-lea-votes-no-to-citys-first-cannabis-retailer) **Albert Lea, MN – July 29, 2025** — In a sharply decisive move, the local electorate has rejected the... [Cannabis Jobs](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-jobs) [![Worker files lawsuit after police task force raids smoke shop seeking illegal THC products](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Worker%20files%20lawsuit%20after%20police%20task%20force%20raids%20smoke%20shop%20seeking%20illegal%20THC%20products.jpg?width=550&height=395&name=Worker%20files%20lawsuit%20after%20police%20task%20force%20raids%20smoke%20shop%20seeking%20illegal%20THC%20products.jpg)](https://420intel.com/blog/worker-files-lawsuit-after-police-task-force-raids-smoke-shop-seeking-illegal) - [Admin](https://420intel.com/blog/author/admin) - 7 March 2024 #### [Worker files lawsuit after police task force raids smoke shop seeking illegal THC products](https://420intel.com/blog/worker-files-lawsuit-after-police-task-force-raids-smoke-shop-seeking-illegal) ## City of Dayton cited in lawsuit, but city says Dayton police not involved in raid. A man who works... - [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" : "2024-10-31T13:08:55.178Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-31T13:08:55.000Z", "headline" : "Judge rules law that shut down thousands of cannabis shops across New York City unconstitutional", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20Queens%20judge%20ruled%20the%20law%20that%20shut%20down%20cannabis%20shops%20in%20NYC%20unconstitutional.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/judge-rules-law-that-shut-down-thousands-of-cannabis-shops-across-new-york-city-unconstitutional", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```