New York City’s network of unlicensed cannabis dispensaries is expanding.
According to Fox 5, the city now has 1,500 illegal cannabis shops, up from 1,300 in late January.
The growing problem has led Mayor Eric Adams to call for tougher laws.
He said the illegal shops are opening near schools and selling cannabis products that target children.
"These children are waking up in the morning, going into the store, getting gummy bears…laced with marijuana, and then they are going to school and [learning]?” he said.
Adams said he’s working on new rules that target landlords who “knowingly” rent space to illegal cannabis shops.
Legal recreational cannabis sales began in New York late last year but unlicensed outlets still greatly outnumber the amount of licensed dispensaries.
