a pro and con comparison story of New York legalized recreational cannabis, because Queens prosecutors put the brakes on an illegal marijuana operation out of a multi-colored converted school bus,

The bus — decked out in Jamaican Rastafarian colors of green, yellow and red and still equipped with the traditional “stop” sign — was doing business in Rockaway Park, just two blocks from nearby schools, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Herrera notes that while the ferry crowd was the business’ original target, it is the community support that has allowed them to be successful with approximately 75% of sales coming from locals.

Despite the community’s strong support, it hasn’t been all positive. While both Iavecchio and Herrera note no issues with law enforcement, they have still caught the attention of District 32 Councilwoman Joann Ariola, who is opposed to the citywide “establishments and vans that are concealing their main business of illegally selling marijuana.”

https://www.rockawave.com/articles/rockaways-marijuana-landscape/

 While New York legalized recreational cannabis in March 2021, the licenses that allow businesses to sell it just started rolling out late last month, making the sale of cannabis by unlicensed dispensaries still technically illegal. 

Queens prosecutors put the brakes on an illegal marijuana operation that was allegedly peddling “Beach Boyz Budz” brand weed out of a multi-colored converted school bus

The bus — decked out in Jamaican Rastafarian colors of green, yellow and red and still equipped with the traditional “stop” sign — was doing business in Rockaway Park, just two blocks from nearby schools, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Two men — Omar Herrera, 32, and David Reilly, 46 — were charged in the sting after cops said they made undercover buys of more than 2 1/2 pounds of cannabis, 274 joints and nine THC vaporizer “pens” from the eyebrow-raising locale.

“Stores, trucks and other outlets currently selling recreational marijuana are doing so illegally,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said in a statement. “What consumers are buying from these sellers is not regulated and most certainly has not been tested by the state.”

“And the illegal dealers are undercutting the legal sellers before they are even able to get started, translating into lost tax revenues and lost funding for essential public services,” she added.

https://nypost.com/2022/12/14/queens-da-seizes-beach-boyz-budz-school-bus-in-massive-pot-bust/

Fwiw, I'm not pro or anti pot - I'm fundamental constitutional rights, with a big dose of land of the free, and liberty for all... or just wtf did public school hammer every American patriotic propaganda song into us grade schoolers for, and why is "liberty" on the currency?

So do whatever as long as you're not hurting anyone else or ignoring your responsibilities to family and paying your debts. I don't know how it's any Karen or Gladys Kravitz concern what or who you do anyone or thing. So, if you enjoy living, and get cancer, crash, or heart attack from the pure adrenaline overdose - hey - you choose ho YOU wanna live n die. Cool by me.