2 men operated weed dispensary out of school bus in Queens
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men were busted for allegedly operating an unlicensed cannabis dispensary out of a converted school bus in Queens, prosecutors said Thursday.
The Beach Boyz Budz weed bus was open seven days a week across from the Rockaway Ferry Dock in Rockaway Park, less than two blocks from nearby schools, according to Queens DA Melinda Katz.
Authorities allegedly made undercover purchases of more than 2.5 pounds of cannabis plant, over 40 pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes and cigars, and an assortment of THC vaporizer pens, edible gummy candies and cookies, and raw concentrated cannabis oil.
While recreational cannabis has been legalized for adults over 21 in New York, legal sales aren’t expected to start until later in December at state-approved dispensaries.
Photo credit Queens District Attorney’s Office
Katz said the weed bus was selling untaxed and unregulated weed that may contain contaminants, all while undercutting legal sellers who’ve been authorized by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.
The two defendants, 32 and 47 years old, were charged in a 57-count complaint with criminal sale of cannabis in the second and third degrees, criminal possession of cannabis in the third degree, unlawful sale of cannabis and unlawful possession of cannabis.
Photo credit Queens District Attorney’s Office
They allegedly operated the bus from 9 am to 9 pm every day while parked in plain view across from the Rockaway Ferry dock. They hawked the cannabis to passengers getting on the Rockaway Ferry, according to the complaint.
The DA’s office and New York City Sheriff’s Office searched the bus on Wednesday and arrested the two men, both of Rockaway Park.
The bus was hardly the only unlicensed dispensary operating in plain sight in the five boroughs. Officials have been trying to crack down on an ever-growing number of the businesses across the city since legalization in 2021.