QUEENS, N.Y. — An unlicensed cannabis dispensary operating near a playground in Sunnyside has been shut down following community complaints, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The closure of the Green Point Convenience Corp. on Greenpoint Avenue marks the latest in an ongoing crackdown on illegal cannabis sales in Queens.
The dispensary, located across from the Thomas A. Noonan Playground, had been selling unregulated cannabis products. A worker at the shop, Estefania Palaquibay, 22, of Woodhaven, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including criminal sale of cannabis, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of cannabis. During the search, detectives found a large quantity of cannabis flower and cannabis-infused edibles, as well as psilocybin mushrooms in Palaquibay’s possession.
“This shop, which was located across the street from a playground, had become the subject of numerous community complaints,” District Attorney Katz said in a statement. “We will continue our enforcement actions on unlicensed marijuana dealers who sell unregulated products that are often targeted to children. These dispensaries also fail to pay tax revenue for public services and undermine licensed sellers who prioritize safety and compliance.”
Palaquibay was arraigned on Saturday, with Judge Germaine Auguste ordering her to return to court on January 7, 2025.
Queens County has seen a rise in illegal cannabis operations since the state legalized recreational marijuana. Currently, there are 226 licensed recreational dispensaries statewide, with 21 located in Queens, alongside three state-authorized medical marijuana dispensaries. However, many unlicensed shops have sprung up, selling unregulated products that pose potential risks to public health and safety.
Since November 2022, Katz’s office has prosecuted 313 individuals for felony charges related to illegal cannabis and controlled substance sales. In total, over $23 million worth of illegal cannabis products, including more than 5,000 pounds of edibles and 7,750 pounds of cannabis flower, have been seized from unlicensed shops in Queens County.
Through coordinated efforts with the NYPD and the New York City Sheriff’s Office, 208 unlicensed dispensaries in Queens have been closed and padlocked since July 2024. Katz has also initiated eviction proceedings against stores operating as illegal smoke shops, in line with New York’s Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law.
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