Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
NYPD Outraged To Discover Cannabis-Flavored Lollipops Don't Get You High
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 11, 2013
Modified Aug 11, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 11, 2013
Modified Aug 11, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Over the last few years, subtly painted vans like the one above started popping up across the city, doing brisk business selling "pot pops." Our own inquiry to the van's proprietor resulted in us learning that the lollipops only tasted like cannabis, but wouldn't actually get someone high. However, it took the NYPD another year or so to come to this conclusion themselves, and they were as outraged as any Post reporter could have hoped: "Maybe we can slap them with a charge of lying to the public," a law-enforcement source told the Post.
According the Post, NYPD officers recently "field-tested" the lollipops and confirmed that, duh, it contained no marijuana. Even so, cops have started cracking down on the vans for their "aggressive sales tactics." One Weed World manager, who identified himself as Gregory "Ghost" Ware, told the Post that the pops contain hemp oil, and "it mixes with your body and gives off a nice, natural buzz," which customers said was complete bullshit. “I’ve smoked weed, and this isn’t the same," said Mark Santana. "It’s too much money for five lollipops.”
Cops in Soho arrested three Weed World employees on July 30th on misdemeanor charges of selling goods without a vendor's license; they also impounded a Weed World van parked at Prince Street and Broadway, with boxes of lollipops as evidence. So even though they're mostly skirting the strict NY weed laws, never underestimate how hard it is out there for a cannabis-flavored, non-marijuana containing lollipop salesman.
Tagged
cannabis
marijuana
ny post
nypd
outrage
weed
weed lollipops
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .