New York Cannabis Board green lights over 100 licenses

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Cannabis Control Board voted to approve the first non-conditional adult-use cannabis licenses for entrepreneurs who applied during the 2023 application window which opened on October 4.

In total, the CCB issued 109 licenses, with 38 going to applicants seeking to open a retail dispensary and another 26 going to applicants seeking to operate a microbusiness license which allows a licensee to grow, process, distribute and sell all under one license.

“Adult-use cannabis is a growing industry in New York that will help local economies across the state,” Governor Hochul said.

“The approval of over 100 licenses is a good start and provides individuals with the opportunity to apply for licensing to help drive up local economies around them.”

New York is now home to 70 licensed adult-use cannabis retailers: a mix of CAURD licensees with storefronts, CAURD licensees providing delivery services, and adult-use dispensaries co-located with existing medical dispensaries.

With the lifting of a recent injunction in December, New York State has nearly tripled the amount of operating cannabis retailers in the last two months.

OCM anticipates the opening of at least another 25 adult-use dispensaries in the coming weeks, once operators complete final steps required to begin cannabis sales.

New York Department of Agriculture and Markets image.