New York City has intensified its crackdown on illegal cannabis shops through an initiative known as 'Operation Padlock to Protect.' Since its launch in May, the city has shut down 779 unlicensed weed stores. The joint task force, comprising the NYC Sheriff’s Department, NYPD, and other agencies, has issued over $65 million in civil penalties and seized approximately $41 million in illegal products, including nearly 12,000 lbs of cannabis. This effort is part of a broader strategy to protect communities and support the legal cannabis market. Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar have been actively involved in the initiative, which aims to eliminate unlicensed operations that pose risks to public safety.