Gov. Kathy Hochul this week announced approval of more than 100 new state licenses for cannabis sales — as New York City’s embattled cannabis program is in the midst of an overhaul and illegal stores are thriving. Even though it continues.
The State Cannabis Control Commission approved 114 new licenses Friday, more than doubling the number of stores that can legally sell marijuana products statewide to 223.
State officials did not immediately reveal the location of the new store when contacted Saturday.
The city estimates up to 2,000 stores in the Big Apple illegally sell marijuana.
There are currently 87 licensed cannabis businesses in the state, 38 of which are in New York City.
Last week, Hochul finally called for a complete review of the State Cannabis Authority, which runs New York’s cannabis industry, acknowledging that the cannabis rollout had been a “disaster.”
The move comes after New York state’s main weed regulator was placed on leave after being accused of retaliation from pot supply companies for criticizing the program.
Hochul asked General Services Secretary Janet Moi to conduct a 30-day inspection of the program to streamline licensing operations and the opening of new drug stores. The directive is seen both inside and outside the cannabis industry as a belated deterrent. A full-blown crisis is brewing on the governor’s watch.
Of the new licenses, 45 are for retail pharmacies, with the remaining 31 operating “micro-business licenses” that allow licensees to grow, process, distribute and sell all under one license. Granted to applicants seeking.
The commission also waived license fees (ranging from $4,500 to $40,000) for marijuana farmers.
