West Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) has thrown his support behind a bipartisan effort to eradicate illegal smoke shops in New York state. Maher, along with fellow lawmakers, is advocating for the inclusion of the SMOKEOUT Act (A8428) in the upcoming 2024-2025 Enacted Budget, a move that would lead to the immediate closure of all 36,000 illicit smoke shops in the state.

The proposed SMOKEOUT Act aims to empower cities and municipalities in New York to take swift action against illegal smoke shops without having to rely on the State Office of Cannabis Management. Maher's dedication to combating the cannabis black market is evident through his backing of proposal A9520, which seeks to revoke licenses for the sale of various products for involvement in illicit cannabis activities.

Speaking on the matter, Maher emphasized the critical importance of public safety in addressing the issue of illegal smoke shops. He stated, "As I have mentioned before, this issue transcends whatever your stance you may have on recreational legalization of cannabis. This is purely a matter of public safety. These illicit products lack testing and folks are cutting every corner that ensures safety measures have been completed, and because of that, these shops need to be shut down immediately."

The SMOKEOUT Act (A8428) has garnered significant support, with endorsements from reputable entities such as the editorial boards of New York Daily News, New York Post, Buffalo News, and Queens Chronicle. Additionally, prominent organizations including the Partnership for New York City, Times Square Alliance, the East Midtown Partnership, the Cannabis Association of New York, the New York Cannabis Retail Association, and New York City Sheriff Anthony Miranda have voiced their support for the proposed legislation.

The collective efforts of Assemblyman Maher and his colleagues underscore a unified commitment to addressing the proliferation of illegal smoke shops and safeguarding public welfare in New York state.