Community members gathered for a town hall to discuss their concerns about smoke shops in the Bronx that are illegally selling marijuana products.
Many expressed concerns about a rise in the number of smoke shops across the five boroughs, especially in the Bronx.
Council Member Marjorie Velazquez, the sheriff's department, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and the Office of Cannabis Management were all present to address the citizens' concerns. The sheriff's department says that thanks to citizen complaints, they were able to conduct over 1,100 inspections across the city, collecting products valued over $21 million.
According to the state cannabis website, only two shops in the Bronx are legally licensed.
Assemblymember John Zaccaro was the host and moderator for the event.