,000 applications still pending
“New York’s Cannabis Legalization: A Tumultuous Journey with Roadblocks and Delays Galore!”
After finally giving the green light to cannabis for adult use, New York’s journey has been anything but smooth sailing. With multiple roadblocks and delays hindering the full potential of the legal industry, it’s been a bumpy ride for growers, business owners, and cannabis professionals.
But the biggest hurdle? The illicit market. Despite the legalization, illegal shops continue to thrive, outnumbering legal dispensaries in the state. And as if that wasn’t enough, a change in gubernatorial leadership and a number of lawsuits have further delayed the licensure and opening of legal dispensaries.
As the wait for licenses continues, some New York lawmakers are proposing a different approach that could extend the wait even longer. Queens Community Board 9 Chairwoman Sherry Algredo recently argued that the state should hold off on approving any new cannabis shops in her district until they can shut down the illegal ones.
According to a report by the New York Post, Algredo stated, “The Board received numerous concerns from residents regarding the proliferation of illegal smoke shops already operating in our district and the negative impact these establishments have had on our community. Consequently, the Board will not support any new applications until these illegal operations are shut down.”
While Algredo’s stance may seem definitive, the community board’s recommendations are only advisory to state regulators. However, they can still influence final policy decisions. Under the law that legalized cannabis in New York, applicants for cannabis licenses must notify the community board in the area they plan to operate and appear before it before opening their businesses.
The issue of illegal cannabis shops in New York has been an ongoing conversation, with Governor Kathy Hochul and other lawmakers consistently addressing the problem. In April, Hochul announced new initiatives to crack down on illicit cannabis operations and protect the legal marketplace. This includes giving the Office of Cannabis Management and local municipalities more authority to take action against illegal shops.
Hochul stated, “Unlicensed dispensaries have littered New York neighborhoods, blatantly circumventing our laws and selling potentially dangerous products. Enough is enough. I promised to protect our communities and hard-working, legal cannabis licensees by expediting the closure of illicit storefronts. I’m proud to stand up and say we got it done.”
Last month, the state celebrated the opening of its 100th adult-use cannabis store. But with over 4,000 pending applications, it’s clear that there is still a long way to go. The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) recently announced that it has approved an additional 101 adult-use cannabis licenses, giving hope for more legal shops to open soon.
