Cheektowaga store owner accused of offering cannabis with purchase of stickers charged

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY (WKBW) – A Cheektowaga store owner accused of gifting cannabis with the purchase of stickers was arraigned Monday in Cheektowaga City Court.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced that David A. Zale, Jr., 29, of the City of Lancaster, was arraigned in Cheektowaga City Court on one count of criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree, one count of criminal possession of cannabis. in the second degree and one count of criminal possession of a counterfeit instrument in the second degree.

The district attorney’s office said police executed a search warrant at Zale’s “Shake N’ Daze Green Vision Wellness” business on French Road on February 4 and recovered approximately 15 pounds of cannabis, more than 2 concentrated cannabis books and products that allegedly had fraudulent medical cannabis labels.

Police told 7 News in February that the search warrant was executed after an undercover detective managed to acquire cannabis products by buying a sticker and receiving the products in return.

“Society doesn’t accept this. It’s not a safe way to sell a drug, and it shouldn’t happen, so we’re going to try to stop it,” Cheektowaga Police Chief said. Brian Gould, in February. interview with 7 News.

According to the district attorney’s office, Zale also appeared in court for an ongoing domestic violence case. He is accused of breaking a flowerpot inside the victim’s apartment during a domestic dispute. He faces one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief.

He is due to return to both cases on May 6 and was released on his own recognizance as the charges are not eligible for bail. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum of seven years in prison.