In the summer of 2024, a shocking event took place that would forever alter the trajectory of MetroBud. The NYPD’s Operation Padlock, an illegal crackdown on unlicensed cannabis businesses in New York City, resulted in the raid of our uptown location at 91 Allen Street. The raid was part of a larger initiative aimed at eradicating unlicensed dispensaries, and MetroBud was caught in the crossfire. While we were just one of many businesses targeted, the impact of that day would be felt deeply, not just in the form of immediate financial loss, but in how it forced us to rethink our entire business model.
What Was Operation Padlock?
Operation Padlock was a law enforcement operation conducted by the NYPD, which focused on raiding unlicensed cannabis dispensaries across New York City. While cannabis was being legalized in certain areas, unlicensed retailers continued to operate under the radar, serving customers who were eager for convenient access to cannabis. In response, the NYPD started cracking down on businesses like ours—who, despite providing a valuable service to the community, were not yet officially licensed by the city.
The operation was named after the process of placing a physical padlock on a business’s doors as a way of shutting down operations. The law enforcement effort was described by many as an overreach, especially given the growing sentiment that cannabis legalization should be a priority for local authorities, and the fact that many dispensaries, including MetroBud, had built strong customer bases and operated with integrity.
The Raid on MetroBud: What Happened?
Our uptown location was a bustling hotspot for cannabis customers in the area, providing high-quality products with fast, reliable service. We had been building our reputation as a trusted delivery and retail provider when the raid occurred. One morning, without warning, NYPD officers showed up, entered the store, and began seizing products, shutting down our operations completely.
At the time, we were operating without a license, as were many others in the cannabis industry. However, what was frustrating about this event was that we were trying to stay true to our customers and provide a much-needed service, despite the lack of clear, available licensing pathways for small businesses like ours.
As a result, MetroBud was hit hard—both financially and emotionally. Our entire stock of cannabis products was confiscated, and we were forced to shut down the store, leaving many loyal customers without access to the products they relied on. We were left in the dark about the future of the industry, as legislative progress had stalled, leaving us with little recourse.
The Long-Term Impact on MetroBud
While the raid was undoubtedly a setback, it also marked a pivotal turning point for MetroBud. The loss of our uptown location was not just about losing a storefront—it was about having our entire model dismantled overnight. It was a slap in the face for small businesses that were working hard to meet the demands of New York City’s cannabis consumers.
However, we didn’t let it defeat us.
Rather than give up, we used that moment to reimagine what MetroBud could become. We realized that in order to survive and thrive, we needed to pivot away from the risks of physical retail operations and focus on what we did best: delivery. In hindsight, the closure of the uptown location pushed us into focusing on delivery in a way that ultimately helped MetroBud grow.
We quickly embraced a delivery-only model, cutting down on overhead costs and logistics while allowing us to serve a larger portion of the city. This shift enabled us to continue offering fast, reliable cannabis delivery to our customers while navigating the complexities of the regulatory environment.
The Corruption and Injustice of the System
While Operation Padlock affected many businesses in the cannabis space, what made it even more difficult to swallow was the corruption and injustice we saw in the process. Despite our military background and our commitment to serving the cannabis community, MetroBud was denied access to the CAURD (Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary) program—a program that was designed to prioritize social equity applicants, including veterans.
As a veteran and a small business owner who had been arrested in the past for cannabis possession, it was disheartening to watch people who had no connection to the struggles of cannabis consumers or small business owners walk away with licenses. These individuals were often federal informants or had no personal stake in the cannabis community, yet they were rewarded with the very thing we had worked so hard to build.
The system seemed fundamentally broken, and it was clear that small business owners like us were left behind while cowards and snitches who had no genuine connection to the cause were handed licenses. This injustice underscored the deep flaws in the legal system for cannabis businesses and reinforced our belief in the need for a more equitable and transparent process.
What We’ve Learned: Resilience and Moving Forward
While Operation Padlock and the subsequent challenges may have tried to knock MetroBud down, they’ve only made us stronger. We’ve learned to be resilient, and we’ve redefined what success looks like in the cannabis space. The journey hasn’t been easy, but the lessons we’ve learned through hardship have made us more committed than ever to serving New York City.
The raid didn’t just affect our business—it changed our outlook on what it means to be part of the cannabis industry in a city that’s still finding its way through legalization. It highlighted the need for fair access, accountability, and justice in a space that was built on helping people, not punishing them.
As we continue to move forward, we’ll never forget the lessons learned from Operation Padlock. It’s part of our story, and it’s something we will continue to talk about as we fight for a better, more just cannabis industry in New York.
Thank you for being with us through it all. MetroBud is more than just a cannabis delivery service—it’s a symbol of resilience and community in the face of adversity.
