Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) joined colleagues from across the aisle today calling for the inclusion of the SMOKEOUT Act (A8428) in the 2024-2025 Enacted Budget, which would immediately close all 36,000 illegal smoke shops plaguing New York state.

The SMOKEOUT Act will give cities and municipalities across the state the power to immediately close all illegal smoke shops without having to rely on the State Office of Cannabis Management. Maher has been consistent in combating the cannabis black market as he’s been a supporter of proposal (A9520), which would revoke licenses to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol and lottery tickets for the possession or sale of illicit cannabis in violation of the cannabis law.

“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,” said Maher.

The SMOKEOUT Act (A8428) has been endorsed by the editorial boards of New York Daily News, New York Post, Buffalo News and Queens Chronicle, as well as 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.