New York

Law Enforcement

The historical accounts describe a sharp change from the 1970s through early ’90s, when police sometimes let people go, to the Giuliani era and later buy-and-bust operations. They put the start of roving Tactical Narcotics Teams around 1995 or 1996. Plainclothes NYPD officers watched a spot from an unmarked car and might wait until the buyer left. People remembered arrest over a roach, seed or even an empty bag, rides in hot vans and estimates of 24 to 48 hours in custody. Out-of-state plates were said to draw attention uptown. New York has since introduced regulated adult use, as covered in Marijuana Laws.

Where to Buy Marijuana

Washington Heights had a strong Haze reputation, especially Purple Haze. West 179th near the George Washington Bridge, the Dyckman projects, Post Avenue and 188th and Amsterdam all came up. The area had a large Dominican community. Spanish phrases such as “¿Quién tiene yerba?” and “Who got that work?” were part of the old street talk. Sellers often worked in groups and stuck to people they knew. The account recalled that the Heights was better known for cocaine and crack in the ’80s and ’90s. Around 177th and St. Nicholas, the market was said to have shifted toward those drugs. Other leads mentioned 176th and St. Nicholas, 175th and Audubon, or the Broadway entrance to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station at 178th, where an introduction might cost US$5. Harlem and the Heights had better weed by many accounts, with the same risk of a sting.

Union Square’s north end, Sheep Meadow and Washington Square Park all came up. Washington Square’s arch and the two dog runs had very different reputations. Daytime contact near the arch sometimes led to a meeting in a nearby bar or café, while aggressive teams near the dog runs were known for pushing light bags. Cameras, after-dark ripoffs, bathroom deals, bait-and-switch offers and being led several blocks away all came with strong warnings. Some felt the parks had long since stopped being realistic places to buy.

Times Square came up as a more public starting point for asking about a contact, although likely at a higher cost. Phone delivery services accepted an address through an answering service and were regarded as convenient and pricier.

Marijuana Prices

• US$20–40 per gram depending on quality
• US$400–550 for an ounce in the quoted range
• Street amounts ranged from nickels to ounces. A US$20 bag of uptown Haze through a contact was considered plenty.

Types of Marijuana

Supply was attributed to other US states plus Mexico, Canada and Jamaica. Higher-priced hydro tended to be strong and seedless. BC beasters, skunk, dark hash, NYC Diesel, Sour Diesel, green kind bud, Mexican brick and mids all came up. Washington Heights was especially associated with strong Haze.