Big Chief Smoke Shop
Unlicensed Brooklyn cannabis seller; court entered a $6 million judgment after it ignored state orders
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According to New York State Office of the Attorney General, Feb 12, 2025 · Read the source
- Where
- New York, United States
- First reported
- Last checked
Summary
Big Chief Smoke Shop in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, sold cannabis without a state license from November 2022, according to Attorney General Letitia James. The AG's office said Office of Cannabis Management inspectors seized more than 400 pounds of cannabis in August 2023 and ordered sales to stop, but a follow-up inspection in October 2023 found the posted violation notices removed or covered and led to the seizure of more than 200 additional pounds. A court ordered the store closed in December 2023. On February 12, 2025, the AG announced a $6 million judgment against the owner, made up of about $5.9 million in penalties, $121,000 in disgorged profits and $44,000 in costs and fees. The AG said cannabis rules exist to protect consumers and keep neighborhoods safe.
What the source found
- The AG says the shop sold cannabis without a license for more than a year, starting in November 2022.
- More than 400 pounds of cannabis were seized in August 2023 and more than 200 pounds in October 2023, according to the AG.
- Violation notices were removed or covered, the AG says.
- A court ordered closure in December 2023; a $6 million judgment followed in 2025.
Products named
- cannabis (unlicensed retail)
Timeline
AG announces $6 million judgment against the owner
Sources
- Regulator
New York State Office of the Attorney General · Feb 12, 2025
Attorney General James Secures $6 Million Judgment Against Unlicensed Cannabis Store in Brooklyn
Wording on this page follows the sources. Found an error? See the corrections process in our editorial policy.
Status notes
Court-ordered closure in December 2023; current status of the premises not verified. The AG release gives only months (August, October and December 2023) for the earlier inspections and closure, so they are not in the timeline.
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