QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has announced the shutdown of an illicit cannabis dispensary operating out of a converted school bus in Sunnyside. The owner of the vehicle, identified as 62-year-old Anthony Stevens of Brooklyn, faces charges including unlawful sale and possession of cannabis.
The dispensary, dubbed “The Green Empress,” was allegedly targeting children with its product offerings, which included cannabis-infused items named and packaged similarly to popular children’s snacks such as “Skittles,” “Gummy Sharks,” and “Jolly Ranchers.” This marketing strategy led to the operation’s exposure and subsequent raid.
District Attorney Katz emphasized the dangers of unregulated cannabis operations, which often target young people and bypass safety, regulation, and taxes, undermining legitimate businesses. She reaffirmed her commitment to addressing community complaints about such dispensaries.
The enforcement action occurred on June 12, when detectives, alongside NYPD officers, executed a search warrant on the bus located at the corner of 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard. They recovered various cannabis products, including a chocolate bar, concentrated cannabis straws, and multiple items mimicking candy brands.
Stevens, who was given a desk appearance ticket, is scheduled to appear in court on July 2. The ongoing crackdown reflects efforts to regulate and control the sale of cannabis, ensuring compliance with state laws. Currently, New York state hosts 133 licensed recreational-use dispensaries, including 14 in Queens, alongside 42 medical dispensaries, with three in Queens.
