That's not the way to thank military heroes!
Disabled veterans in New York state are seeing red instead of ganga green on the eve of Veterans Day. The group is outraged that they have been given just 3.5% of the state's cannabis licenses issued so far, even though they should have been given priority.
It also receives only 7% of the “social equity” licenses reserved for disadvantaged residents.
“That's completely unacceptable. That's not a 'thank you for your hard work.' ” leo bridgewater saidan Army veteran and co-founder of the cannabis association Service Disabled Veterans.
So far, more than half (53%) of the state's cannabis licenses have been awarded to “social and economic equity” applicants, according to the state Office of Cannabis Control.
But among that group, 43% of licenses went to women-owned businesses, 38% went to racial and ethnic minorities, and only 7% went to disabled veterans and farmers in need. I couldn't. Another 5% went to applicants from areas disproportionately affected by the drug war before marijuana was legalized in New York in 2021.
The issued licenses cover all aspects of the weed business from seed to sale: farmers and cultivators, microprocessors, distributors, and retail dispensaries.
Osbert Orduna, CEO of Queens-based The Cannabis Place and a disabled veteran, called the number of licenses granted to veterans so far “ridiculous.” said.
“It's not good enough. It's very disappointing,” said Orduna, who was awarded the license and is a leader of the Service Disabled Veterans of the Cannabis Association.
He said there are many disabled veterans who have obtained business certification from the state Department of General Services when they should be able to obtain a cannabis license.
The treatment of disabled veterans by the State Cannabis Control Board and the Bureau of Cannabis Control has been a hot topic for years, but it's an especially sensitive topic at this time.
Monday is Veterans Day, a federally recognized holiday when the nation pauses to honor our military heroes.
Cannabis regulators led by Gov. Cathy Hochul were sued last year for giving priority to convicted pot peddlers over disabled veterans in awarding marijuana licenses.
Red-faced state officials settled their lawsuits after a judge ruled that regulators were likely illegally favoring drug offenders over disabled veterans.
The Bureau of Cannabis Control had no immediate comment on Sunday's post.
But at last month's meeting, regulators seemed generally satisfied with progress, at least in terms of the total number of cannabis licenses being awarded to social equity applicants.
Disabled Cannabis Veterans Organizations quickly fired back with a statement, saying, “Disabled veterans don't want to be left out. They want the opportunity to lead and build a cannabis business.
“OCM believes they should be given the opportunities they have earned,” the group said.
