A new bill introduced in the New York City Council plans to impose a fine of up to $10,000

 

A new bill introduced in the New York City Council plans to impose a fine of up to $10,000 on landlords who rent to shops selling illegal marijuana.  Queens Councilmember Lynn Schulman introduced the legislation.  The bill seeks to send inspectors to retail stores suspected of selling illegal marijuana and impose fines between $5,000 and $10,000 on second-time offenders.  Landlords must provide proof of initiating eviction proceedings after the first inspection to avoid the fine.  Schulman believes the penalty would bring landlords on board to address unregulated cannabis sales.  A recent medical marijuana trade group report pointed out that New York's tax revenue from marijuana sales was behind other states.