From Smoke Shops to Slice Shops: Mayor Eric Adams Celebrates Illegal Weed Crackdown Amid Concerns Over Possible Resurgence

City Sees Transformation of Illicit Dispensaries Into Legal Businesses Like Queens Pizzeria “Salsa,” as Adams Highlights Economic Turnaround

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Eric Adams stood outside Salsa, a newly opened pizzeria in Rego Park, Queens, on Wednesday to tout the transformation of former illegal cannabis shops into legitimate businesses. The event marked what he called a milestone in his administration’s aggressive crackdown on unlicensed marijuana retailers, which has led to the closure of nearly 1,400 smoke shops across New York City since May 2023.

Former Illicit Cannabis Store Becomes a Community Hub for Jobs and Food

Salsa, the pizzeria that served as the backdrop for the mayor’s announcement, occupies a storefront that once operated as Dukaan Boyz — a smoke shop shut down after multiple enforcement actions. The location had become symbolic of the city’s battle against illegal cannabis retail, as it was shuttered, reopened under a new name, and then raided again before being permanently closed. The mayor framed the transformation as part of a broader effort to create safer neighborhoods and economic opportunities for New Yorkers, particularly small business owners operating within the bounds of the law.

Illegal Shops Once Outnumbered Starbucks Locations; Over 160 Licensed Dispensaries Now Operating

Following the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2021, hundreds of unlicensed dispensaries opened in the city, vastly outnumbering the city’s coffee chains and overwhelming enforcement efforts. The sudden proliferation posed a serious challenge to the launch of the legal cannabis market, stifling its early growth and hurting licensed operators.

In response, the Adams administration established a multi-agency enforcement task force, leading to the closure of approximately 1,400 unlicensed cannabis shops to date. Meanwhile, the number of licensed dispensaries has grown to more than 160 citywide, generating over $350 million in legal cannabis sales.

Expiring Sealing Orders Could Trigger a Comeback for Illicit Market

Despite the progress, Adams acknowledged looming challenges. The temporary court orders that allowed city sheriffs to seal illegal smoke shops for up to one year are now beginning to expire. As these orders lapse, padlocks must be removed, raising concerns about a possible resurgence of illegal cannabis storefronts.

City officials have pledged to continue monitoring formerly sealed businesses to ensure compliance. The mayor emphasized that enforcement efforts will remain active, even as legal dispensaries become more established.

Political Tensions Flare as Cuomo Campaign Fires Back

The news conference also became a political flashpoint, as Mayor Adams used the occasion to criticize former Governor Andrew Cuomo — his leading opponent in the upcoming election. Cuomo, who signed the marijuana legalization bill in 2021, is currently running in the Democratic primary, while Adams is pursuing re-election as an independent.

In response, Richard Azzopardi, a spokesperson for Cuomo, criticized the mayor’s delayed action.

The Battle Over Woodhaven Boulevard: A Case Study in Enforcement Persistence

The saga of the pizzeria Salsa’s location illustrates just how complicated the crackdown has been. After Dukaan Boyz was first closed by city authorities in 2022, the store quickly re-emerged as Woodhaven Convenience. A second raid in 2024 revealed little had changed — officers discovered illicit products behind frosted glass counters and hidden compartments concealed behind electrical outlets.

City Council Member Robert Holden, who represents the district, documented the 2024 raid in videos shared on social media. One video showed a sheriff’s deputy flipping a switch that revealed illegal marijuana products behind what appeared to be a blank storefront. Another clip showed a secret compartment behind an outlet, reinforcing the extent to which some shops tried to evade detection.

A Cautious Celebration: City Weighs Success Against Ongoing Risks

While the mayor celebrated the replacement of an illegal shop with a community-serving business, he and other officials remained cautious about the potential resurgence of unlicensed sellers. With sealing orders expiring, the future of enforcement may rely more heavily on ongoing monitoring, public reporting, and long-term legislative fixes.

Still, the conversion of illicit retail space into legal, job-generating businesses stands as a tangible example of what Adams calls smart, community-centered governance — a message he hopes will resonate as election season draws near.