Tag: New York

New York’s Chaotic Cannabis Launch Is a Cluster Bomb for Licensees

September 21, 2023 · Green Market Report

While the New York Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board are the direct targets of numerous lawsuits, licensees feel as if they are collateral damage. Retail operators that received licenses in the first round and managed to open fairly quickly are untouched. But the groups and individuals who got licenses later are now in cannabis purgatory. These unlucky licensees are stuck on the sidelines anxiously waiting on the courts to decide if they will get a pass… Read more.

New York Battling Judge Over Exemptions to Cannabis Retail License Pause

September 18, 2023 · Green Market Report

New York marijuana regulators have spent nearly the past month trying to convince a state judge to allow a handful of conditional adult use retail dispensary (CAURD) licensees to open for business, but as of Friday, nothing the state tried had yet worked, which leaves the Empire State with just 23 operational legal cannabis shops for the foreseeable future. When Judge Kevin Bryant handed down a preliminary injunction last month that froze all retail permitting, he also tried to be flexible with… Read more.

Growers, Retailers Walk the Tightrope of New York Cannabis Rules

September 14, 2023 ·

Profitable enterprises take time to build – but it continues to run thin in one of the industry’s most promising cannabis markets. That sentiment underscored many of the conversations that took place at Green Market Report’s first New York Summit on Sept. 13 in the heart of the Big Apple. Operators and investors large and small traded advice and stories of power, money, and property within the context of a market brimming with opportunity, but one that is also showing signs of… Read more.

New York Senate Marijuana Committee Schedules Hearing To Address Challenges For Legalization Rollout

September 8, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The chair of a New York Senate cannabis committee says his panel will hold its first public hearing next month to try and identify legislative solutions to the state’s ongoing marijuana legalization implementation problems by bringing regulators, lawmakers, stakeholders and advocates together for a “fair and productive” policy discussion. Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D), who was appointed to lead the Senate’s first-ever cannabis panel earlier this year, announced the October 30 hearing during a press conference on Thursday. He said that the purpose… Read more.

‘Like Snoop Dogg’s living room’: Smell of pot wafts over notorious U.S. Open court

August 31, 2023 · Yahoo!News

It’s become a stink at the U.S. Open: a pungent marijuana smell that wafted over an outer court, clouded the concentration of one of the world’s top players and left the impression there’s no place left to escape the unofficial scent of the city. While the exact source of the smell remained a mystery Tuesday, one thing was clear: Court 17, where eighth-seeded Maria Sakkari complained about an overwhelming whiff of pot during her first-round loss, has become notorious among… Read more.

New York Judge Lifts Injunction for 30 Cannabis Licenses But About 400 Remain in Limbo

August 29, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A New York judge on Friday partly lifted the injunction imposed against state regulators issuing new cannabis licenses, WTEN reports. The ruling by Supreme Court Justice Kevin Bryant affects just 30 licenses that were deemed by the Cannabis Control Board as “ready to be open.”  The decision still leaves about 400 licenses in limbo.  In a statement following Bryant’s decision, the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) called the ruling “a disappointment” but that the agency is “committed to working with the Cannabis… Read more.

New York court keeps order blocking new adult-use cannabis retail licenses

August 26, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

The court order blocking new entries into New York’s struggling adult-use cannabis market remained in force after a Friday hearing in Ulster County Supreme Court – despite a new appeal filed by the state attorney general to lift the stay. However, 30 applicants who filed for their permits in time might be able to open for business. Several hundred more would-be recreational marijuana entrepreneurs, including both small businesses and major multistate marijuana operators, must wait at least a few more… Read more.

Marijuana Farmers Market Opens Alongside New York State Fair

August 24, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The New York State Fair kicked off on Wednesday, and for the first time ever, attendees have the chance to browse—and buy—marijuana products from nearly a dozen local growers at a cannabis farmers market being held in conjunction with the event. The so-called Great New York State Cannabis Showcase technically isn’t part of the state fair, but the pop-up exhibition and market will run concurrently from August 23 through September 3. It’s located less than a mile from the fairgrounds… Read more.

New York Judge Extends Injunction Against Processing and Licensing New Cannabis Retailers

August 22, 2023 ·

A New York judge on Friday ruled that the state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) cannot process or approve any pending Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses pending the outcome of a hearing this week, Spectrum News reports. The injunction was first imposed on August 7 and applies to all licenses new or pending on that date. The lawsuit, filed by service-disabled military veterans, argues that OCM created a licensing system that runs afoul of the state’s adult-use cannabis law and improperly limits initial licenses to… Read more.

New York Marijuana Retail Licensing Pause Extended at Least Two Weeks

August 12, 2023 · Green Market Report

The temporary restraining order that halted further cannabis retail licensing in New York was extended by at least two weeks by a state judge on Friday, in a case that has hundreds of conditional permitholders wondering what will come next for them. The ruling that paused licensing was initially handed down on Monday, after four service-disabled military veterans filed suit against the state Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board, alleging that regulators had wrongly skipped their demographic during the conditional adult… Read more.

Chicago Atlantic Sees Decline In Income, But Reaffirms 2023 Outlook

August 9, 2023 · Green Market Report

Chicago Atlantic Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NASDAQ: REFI) announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2023. The commercial mortgage real estate investment trust reported that its net interest income fell 8.3% sequentially to approximately $13.7 million. However, this was an increase over last year’s net income of $11.8 million for the same time period. The company attributed the drop to the impact of the timing of early principal repayments and the lower average principal outstanding during the quarter. Chicago… Read more.

New York consumes more cannabis than any other city in the world

August 1, 2023 · San Antonio Current

New York tops a lot of lists — including the list of biggest cannabis-consuming cities. The new 2023 Cannabis Global Price Index, compiled by health-information firm CFAH, ranks global metros by their annual weed intake, and the Big Apple apparently knows how to get its toke on. New Yorkers, ahem, jointly consume 62.3 metric tons — or about 137,000 pounds — of the devil's lettuce every year. That puts Gotham ahead of Sydney, Australia; Los Angeles;  Chicago; and Rome, Italy, which make up the Top 5… Read more.

Cresco and Columbia Care call off $2 billion cannabis megamerger; Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs deal also scratched

August 1, 2023 · Yahoo!Finance

Chicago-based Cresco Labs and Columbia Care called off their $2 billion cannabis megamerger Monday, citing “evolving” market conditions that include falling stock prices, tightening credit and flattening industry sales. The companies also scratched the $185 million sale of cannabis facilities in Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to rapper/producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, which were part of required antitrust divestitures for the merger. “In light of the evolving landscape in the cannabis industry, we believe the decision to terminate the planned transaction… Read more.

New York’s First Recreational Marijuana Shop Sold $12 Million in Six Months

July 31, 2023 · Green Market Report

Housing Works' retail manager says the company has been operating in the black since opening its doors. Housing Works, the first legal adult-use marijuana shop to open for business in New York, announced Monday that it sold $12 million in cannabis in its first six months of operations. It opened its doors just two days before New Year’s Eve. The nonprofit retailer – which devotes all of its proceeds to helping underprivileged members of the community – has managed to average… Read more.

Smacked Dispensary Reopening After Million-Dollar Renovation

July 29, 2023 · Green Market Report

New York social justice cannabis applicant Roland Connor opened his Manhattan dispensary in the Village to great fanfare at the beginning of the year. However, it was only a temporary store. Nine weeks ago, the dispensary shut down for a total renovation that cost $1.4 million and was constructed by Temeka. Smacked is expected to officially reopen in two weeks. Among the developments for the newly renovated store is the consumption lounge that is planned to take up residence in… Read more.

Should Cannabis Consumption Be Banned in Public Like Drinking Alcohol? – NY Senator Says Yes, Including Eating an Edible!

July 28, 2023 · Cannabis.net

In July 2023, New York State Senator George Borello (R) introduced a measure to ban cannabis smoking and consumption in public places, except for locations with special authorization. Senator George Borrello (R) has served New York State Senate District 57 since November 26, 2019. His political career, however, began much earlier, as a Chautauqua County Legislator, where he faithfully served from 2010 until 2017. Following that, he served as County Executive for Chautauqua County, New York, from 2018 to 2019, refining his… Read more.

Leafly Sued by Photographer for Using Tupac, Snoop Dogg Photos

July 24, 2023 · Green Market Report

The photographer is asking for legal fees and damages - to be determined by the court - to be covered. The online dispensary locator app Leafly (OTC: LFLY) is in hot water for using a photographer’s images of rappers Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg. Photographer T. Eric Monroe, whose work has been featured in publications such as Thrasher and XXL Magazine, claims Leafly Holdings unlawfully published and displayed Monroe’s original photography on its website leafly.com. In addition to helping consumers locate dispensaries, Leafly offers… Read more.

New York Approves Plans to Allow Cannabis ‘Showcases’ & Sales at Public Events

July 22, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York cannabis regulators on Wednesday voted to approve a “cannabis showcase” program that would allow growers to sell products to the public at events, NBC 5 reports. The Cannabis Showcase will allow growers to partner with adult-use cannabis retailers and processors to organize events for showcasing New York products.  The showcases must include a minimum of three licensed cultivators, partnering with a licensed adult-use dispensary to sell licensed and tested cannabis products to customers. The events are only allowed in municipalities that allow for retail cannabis sales and… Read more.

New York Is Now Accepting Applications For Marijuana Farmers Markets

July 22, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

New York regulators are now officially accepting applications for marijuana businesses interested in organizing cannabis farmers markets in the state. Just two days after the Cannabis Control Board voted to authorize what they’re calling Cannabis Growers Showcases (CGS), regulators opened the applications and posted guidance and templates for municipal approval for the events. “A CGS can take place in various locations, including standalone, temporary retail locations; licensed retail dispensary locations; licensed conditional cultivator or processor locations; or other approved event locations,” the… Read more.

Women Grow President Gia Morón Steps Down

July 21, 2023 · Green Market Report

Morón's tenure has brought a generation of women entrepreneurs to the fold. Gia Morón, president of Women Grow, a professional network for women in the cannabis industry, is set to depart from the organization, effective July 31. Morón is stepping down to devote more energy to her business ventures, according to a release Thursday. The company’s board chairwoman and CEO, Dr. Chanda Macias, will maintain her leadership role. “Gia Morón was fundamental and instrumental to the growth and success of so many… Read more.

New York Regulators Vote To Allow Marijuana Farmers Markets, While Nearly Doubling The Number Of Provisional Retailer Licenses

July 20, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

New York marijuana regulators have approved a resolution to authorize cannabis farmers markets where growers could sell their supplies while helping to meet consumer demand as the state works to open additional retail dispensaries. The state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) passed the measure on Wednesday, along with separate resolutions focused on nearly doubling the number of approved conditional retailer licenses, enacting regulations for marijuana research, banning the sale of synthetic cannabinoids like delta-8 THC and other issues. The authorization of… Read more.

New York City Seeks Private Lenders For New Marijuana Fund To Promote Industry Equity

July 18, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

New York City officials have announced they’re seeking lenders to support a marijuana equity fund that will promote participation in the industry by people who’ve been disproportionately impacted by criminalization. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) posted a request for proposal (RFP) on Tuesday, soliciting lenders and an administrator for its Cannabis NYC Loan Fund, which will provide low-cost financing to social equity applicants looking to enter the marijuana market. Officials are aiming to raise $20-30 million for… Read more.

Empire Cannabis Club Co-Owner, Staff Arrested in NYC for ‘Obstruction’

July 15, 2023 · Cannabis Now

State tax agents backed up by New York City cops arrived at two Manhattan outlets of the Empire Cannabis Clubs on July 11, seizing a large amount of product at one location and making arrests at both. But the arrests were just for “obstruction” of the raids, which were themselves carried out without warrants. This represents a first move toward legal action against Empire Cannabis Clubs, the most professional and high-profile of the city’s membership-based dispensaries.  Empire Cannabis insists they are… Read more.

New York Takes a Bite Out of Illicit Cannabis Sales

July 13, 2023 · MG Magazine

New York Police Department officers and state tax agents raided several illicit dispensaries in Manhattan this week, following through on Governor Kathy Hochul’s promise to levy hefty fines and shut down unlicensed operators. The state’s latest crackdown focused on Empire Cannabis Club, a so-called concierge service with locations in Chelsea and the Lower East Side. Billing themselves as private clubs that provide dues-paying members with access to cannabis products, Empire’s five stores are among the most visible and flagrant licensure… Read more.

Edibles Consumers Desire High-Potency Product Packaging

July 11, 2023 · MG Magazine

Edibles are an invaluable segment of the cannabis industry. From classic THC-infused brownies to flavorful fruit-filled gems, edibles have captivated the imagination of medical patients and recreational consumers across all walks of life. In sports, former heavyweight foes Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson transformed into friendly business partners through the development of their commemorative edibles offerings. In music, global superstar Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus has turned his love for the plant into a vibrant collection of cannabis products, including fruit-flavored and savory… Read more.

The Illegal Cannabis ‘Whack-A-Mole’ Problem Finally Solved? – NYC to Go After Landlords That Rent to Illegal Weed Shops

July 11, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Lynn C. Schulman, a councilman for New York City, filed a measure in April 2023 that would make it illegal for landlords to lease to business tenants who are engaged in the unauthorised sale of cannabis. On Thursday, June 22, the bill was sent to and passed by the entire Council after being authorised by the Committee on Public Safety. The bill will now be delivered to Mayor Eric Adams' desk, having been given 30 days to sign it into law or… Read more.

New York Cannabis Farmers Markets in Limbo

July 10, 2023 · Green Market Report

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office appears to have put an indefinite hold on an idea floated in May by state regulators for marijuana farmers markets, a plan popular with growers because it would have provided a safety valve for hundreds of pounds of unsold marijuana crops from 2022. The idea was first announced by the state Office of Cannabis Management almost two months ago, at which point OCM staff said they were hoping to have some farmers markets operational by… Read more.

Week in Review: NBA, Players Agree to Terms Involving Cannabis

July 9, 2023 ·

In this week’s cannabis news round-up, NBA and the NBPA reach a ground-breaking agreement on cannabis policies; Maryland reports more than $10 million in cannabis sales during the state’s opening weekend of adult use market; New York secures $150 million for cannabis social equity investment fund and the only licensed hemp farm in the British Isles closes after UK government dispute. NBA and Players Union Reach Ground-breaking Agreement on Cannabis Policies This week, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association… Read more.

Investor for $200 million New York cannabis fund finally found

July 4, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

New York has finally secured an investor to help fully fund the $200 million in startup capital promised to social-equity marijuana entrepreneurs to open “turnkey” dispensaries, Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced. Chicago Atlantic Admin, a publicly traded, Illinois-based investment firm that’s funded marijuana businesses across the country, has agreed to invest “up to $150 million” in the New York State Cannabis Social Equity Investment fund, Hochul said in a news release issued Friday. The state itself has agreed to pony up $50 million to… Read more.

Marijuana megamerger between Cresco, Columbia Care still up in the air

July 1, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

The large-scale merger of marijuana multistate operators Cresco Labs and Columbia Care is in question after the companies failed to divest assets necessary for regulatory approvals by the June 30 deadline. It’s not clear if the companies are still working toward completing the transaction or if they will abandon it. “At this stage, Cresco and Columbia Care are working amicably with respect to the next steps in relation to the transaction and will provide further updates in the near future,” the companies… Read more.

Chicago Atlantic Commits $150 Million to New York Social Equity Fund

June 30, 2023 · Green Market Report

A $200 million fund to support social equity marijuana retailers is now certain to be fully funded, following a new $150 million investment deal with Chicago Atlantic, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced Friday. Chicago Atlantic Admin LLC committed up to $150 million in senior secured capital for the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, which will be used on a rolling basis to lease dispensary space for qualified cannabis retail locations. The funding deal delivers on a pledge made by Hochul in March 2022 to… Read more.

New York Cannabis Revels In Community

June 26, 2023 · Green Market Report

On the Revel hosted a New York cannabis community event on June 22 bringing together licensed operators. New York cannabis producers were able to display their businesses as potential buyers shopped around for dispensary products. Roughly 800 people attended the event held in Hudson, New York. Despite the trouble in the New York market, the mood was celebratory and optimistic. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9XxoXMNQjxQ Read more.

NY Gov. Hochul Shuts Down Illicit Cannabis Shops, Pace Of New Stores Is ‘Frustrating’

June 24, 2023 · Investing.com

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken decisive action against unlicensed cannabis shops, announcing the temporary closure of over two dozen businesses. While acknowledging the sluggish pace of licensed dispensary openings, Gov. Hochul reassured the public that there are currently 15 licensed shops operating, with two more expected to open by September, per CBS News. However, "I'm not satisfied with the pace," Hochul said. "It is frustrating for those who have been anticipating the opportunity to open businesses, and we had to… Read more.

Steve Cohen Donates $5M for MDMA’s Push to Go Mainstream

June 24, 2023 · Green Market Report

A significant player in the psychedelics industry has received a $5 million infusion from hedge-fund billionaire and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen and his wife, deepening the couple’s efforts to bring mind-altering therapies into the mainstream. The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is donating the funds to MAPS, or the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies, a nonprofit that has pushed for more research on psychedelic drugs since 1986. The organization is engaged in a financially-intensive push to get the… Read more.

On Juneteenth, Two Black Industry Leaders Say Social Equity Falls Short

June 19, 2023 · Green Market Report

Programs must address systemic inequities that exist across the board. In the run-up to the national Juneteenth holiday, which marks the date in 1865 when Black Americans in Texas learned they’d been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, Green Market Report reached out to a pair of Black women cannabis industry leaders to get their thoughts on how far the marijuana industry has yet to go on racial equity. The answer was simple: It’s so far that it’s hard to even put into… Read more.

Survey: Cannabis Less Harmful than Cigarettes, Vapes, Alcohol, & Opioids

June 17, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A survey by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and Morning Consult found Americans believe cannabis is less harmful than cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, and prescribed and non-prescribed opioids but more harmful than technology. The survey also found that respondents believed that cannabis was less addictive than cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, prescribed and non-prescription opioids, and technology. In a statement, APA President Dr. Petros Levounis said the survey showed “It is clear that we have gotten the message through that cigarettes are dangerous and addictive.”… Read more.

Doobie Delivery Opens in New York City

June 17, 2023 · Green Market Report

Just like the old days when cannabis was illegal and Manhattanites got their weed from a guy in a van, Doobie launched a new delivery service that brings products from the licensed Union Square Travel Agency to customers within 60 minutes. Since there are few licensed operations in the city, many customers may not be near such a store. Doobie also plans to expand into other boroughs. (Full Story) https://youtu.be/9FBy7JHod-4 Read more.

RIV Capital Looks to New NY Cannabis Regulations for Retail Market Entry

June 16, 2023 · Green Market Report

Wholesale hope and new retail entry rules for existing medical operators has provided spark. With contentious headlines now in the rearview mirror, RIV Capital (OTC: CNPOF) seems to be chugging along as New York’s legal cannabis industry ugly cries every night. The company hosted its fourth quarter and fiscal year-end 2023 earnings call Thursday, during which interim CEO Mike Totzke expressed optimism about the RIV’s position in the New York cannabis market. “We substantially completed the expansion of Etain’s Chestertown-based cultivation and… Read more.

Henrietta business is one of the first Finger Lakes dispensaries to be CAURD license approved

June 16, 2023 · Rochester First

For the first time ever, dispensaries in the Finger Lakes are approved for CAURD licenses. Ryan Martin of MJ Dispensary in Henrietta says he’s elated all of his hard work has gotten him to this point. He’s only one of a handful in the Finger Lakes who were approved from recreational-use cannabis licenses today. MJ Dispensary is located in the Genesee Valley Regional Market Complex in the town of Henrietta. That’s where Ryan Martin, the owner and his family watched Thursday’s Cannabis… Read more.

Cannabis Control Board approves first applicants from the Finger Lakes

June 16, 2023 · Rochester First

The Cannabis Control Board is holding a public meeting Thursday morning to announce they are prioritizing the expansion of New York’s cannabis supply chain. In the public meeting on Thursday, the board announced that they have approved 251 Conditional Adult-use Retail Dispensary licenses. 49 are still left to be awarded at a future board meeting, including 11 more from the Finger Lakes region. On Thursday, seven licenses from the Finger Lakes were approved. The applicants that were approved include: MJ… Read more.

New York Lawmakers Approve Bill to Allow Farmers to Sell Cannabis to Tribes

June 14, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York lawmakers have approved a bill to allow licensed cannabis farmers to sell their products to tribal nations that have launched their own cannabis markets, WRGB reports. The approval comes amidst the state’s slow retail rollout, while dispensaries have opened on tribal land throughout the state.  New York has licensed about 300 growers and 40 processors but there are just 12 licensed dispensaries statewide.    Jason Ambrosino, the owner of Veterans Hemp Market and Veterans Holdings, told WRGB that his company is sitting on “closer… Read more.

‘It’s About Time’ for New York Cannabis Enforcement, But Questions Abound

June 12, 2023 · Green Market Report

How effective the latest effort will be remains to be seen. “It’s about time.” That was the first reaction that Green Market Report received on Friday after news broke the prior afternoon that New York officials had begun a hotly anticipated crackdown on unlicensed marijuana sellers. The attorney who wrote the words, New York City-based cannabis lawyer Jeffrey Hoffman, said the only surprise was that it took authorities until the summer of 2023 to get started on shuttering the unlicensed smoke shops. Hoffman was… Read more.

Sue Your Neighbor Because His Marijuana Smells Really Dank? Yes, Says Judge Citing Private Nuisance Statute

June 12, 2023 · Cannabis.net

Women Wins Lawsuit over Marijuana Odor - Judges Cites Private Nuisance Clause In a recent ruling, Judge Ebony Scott of Washington D.C. determined that Thomas Cackett must cease smoking medical marijuana in his apartment due to complaints from his neighbor, Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd. The judge concluded that while Ippolito-Shepherd couldn't establish her right to damages, she successfully argued that the odor of marijuana constituted a private nuisance. Consequently, Judge Scott ordered Cackett to discontinue his smoking activities, emphasizing that although he holds… Read more.

Opinion: The top 5 cannabis compliance mistakes and how to avoid them

June 9, 2023 ·

Plant-touching and ancillary cannabis businesses are operating within one of the world’s most fragmented regulatory landscapes. And as more U.S. markets come online, keeping track of cannabis compliance requirements will only become more complex. The importance of marijuana regulatory compliance cannot be overstated. Implementing a robust compliance program is critical to protecting not only businesses but also licenses, pipelines and reputations. It is also key to creating a culture of accountability that encourages employees to follow the rules, which frequently… Read more.

Roadblocks and Red Tape: New York’s Cannabis Effort at a Crossroads

June 6, 2023 · Yahoo!News

When New York state began laying the groundwork for its recreational cannabis industry last year, officials cast atoning for the harm done by the war on drugs as a cornerstone of the ambitious plan — and promised to give people who were previously convicted of marijuana offenses the first opportunity to sell it legally. Today, that effort appears to be foundering: Although Gov. Kathy Hochul suggested last fall that more than 100 dispensaries would be operating by this summer, just… Read more.

Cannabis Infused Drinks Are on the Rise, Here Are 4 POC-Owned Brands to Try

June 6, 2023 · Food & Wine

Alcoholism runs deep in both sides of my family. To prevent possibly continuing those patterns as I get older, I’ve become more interested in exploring other options for social drinking;  Alcohol-free wines and spirits have become significantly more accessible in recent years, and cannabis-based mocktails is one of the most interesting trends in this space.  Picture a zero-proof drink with all the layers of flavor we’ve come to love in a cocktail, but with a THC and/or CBD mixture that… Read more.

Cannabis lawyer and pot farmer share latest on NY market

June 6, 2023 · News 10 ABC

There are some growing concerns from New York pot farmers who have more crop than they can sell, as the state’s recreational marijuana market rollout has moved slower than many expected. So far, a dozen retail marijuana stores have opened since New York legalized it two years ago, including one in the Capital Region. Ryan McCall, a Cannabis Law Attorney at Tully Rinckey, said while retail licenses continue being granted, it can take months for shops to actually get up… Read more.

LeafLink Partners with Logistics Shop to Optimize California Cannabis Supply Chain

June 5, 2023 · Green Market Report

The partnership comes months after the company raised $100 million in Series D financing. New-York based LeafLink, a major cannabis wholesale platform, is partnering with Leafgistics, a cannabis logistics company, to coordinate and streamline the storage and movement of cannabis products across the California market. The company said it has also invested an undisclosed sum in Leafgistics. The investment marks a notable step for LeafLink as it looks to harden its system for cannabis commerce, it said, and advance the industry through strategic partnerships. “Through our… Read more.

Cannabis in New York State: What you can & can’t do

June 4, 2023 · Rochester First

An injunction to prevent CAURD licenses from being sent to the Finger Lakes region will be lifted soon as the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is settling a lawsuit that imposed the injunction. As it is being lifted, OCM will be working to send out licenses across the region — including in Monroe County. You may have questions about what you can or can’t do when purchasing, using, and even owning cannabis products. Here is what you should… Read more.

Jonathan Adler’s Stylish World

June 4, 2023 · Cannabis Now

Acclaimed New York City-based potter, designer and author Jonathan Adler is perfectly poised at the intersection of high-end design and subversive style. Since launching his first collection at Barneys New York two decades ago, Adler has built a cult-like customer base with his covetable, tongue-in-chic ceramics and interior accoutrements. He correctly refers to his gorgeously recognizable design aesthetic as “modern American glamour.” Bullseye. Checking in on the celebrated designer’s views on drug iconography and the evolution of cannabis paraphernalia was… Read more.

New York Regulators Again Promise to Crack Down on Unlicensed Smoke Shops

June 3, 2023 · Green Market Report

A top New York state cannabis official vowed to quickly bring the heat now that Albany has granted regulators the power to shut down hundreds of unlicensed smoke shops across New York City. “We are pivoting so that we can begin as soon as possible,” said Tremaine Wright, chair of the New York Cannabis Control Board. “It is coming.” Wright told Crain’s at an industry conference Thursday at the Javits Center that her agency would work with state tax agents, local police… Read more.

Cannabis MSOs set to enter NY adult-use market after policy change

June 2, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

New legislation and major policy shifts have been proposed to stabilize the shaky rollout of New York’s adult-use marijuana program, including allowing some of the nation’s largest multistate operators (MSOs) to enter the expanded market by year’s end. Regulators at the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) recently proposed the revised regulations to jump-start the potential $3 billion market with more retail locations. Regulators also hope to energize a supply chain that currently offers limited business opportunities. As of press time, only 12 retailers had… Read more.

New York to Allow Cannabis Farmers’ Markets

May 30, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

In a move aiming to address the state’s cannabis supply chain glut, the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced last week that industry operators will be allowed this summer to host cannabis farmers’ markets in order to sell more product, according to a NY Cannabis Insider report. The plan, announced by OCM Director of Policy John Kagia during a meeting with the Cannabis Association of New York, will see the state’s conditionally licensed growers and retailers team up to organize… Read more.

Next stop for local pot?

May 29, 2023 · WGRZ

New York cannabis cultivators may have a partial solution to something they say they've been dealing with for months; not having enough places to sell the pot they grew over the past year. The state Office of Cannabis Management's fledging market has only yielded 12 retail dispensaries statewide and the timeline for more to open their doors is uncertain. But during a Thursday town hall hosted by the Cannabis Association of New York, state representatives said selling at farmers' markets should… Read more.

Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference in New York City

May 27, 2023 · Cannabis Now

On May 18 and 19, retailers, buyers, and investors attended the exclusive, invite-only Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference in Manhattan, NY. The prestigious two-day event, billed as the first B2B trade event of its kind, was an opportunity for luxury cannabis, CBD, and hemp wellness brands to connect with New York’s burgeoning adult-use market. Unlike other tradeshows, LMCC’s aesthetic was akin to an Apple Store—spacious, white and inviting. Dozens of brands were in attendance, with sitting areas purposefully created for conversations.… Read more.

Fewer research analysts covering cannabis underscores industry woes

May 24, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Cannabis industry earnings calls have been a little quieter this year. Fewer research analysts are covering the U.S. marijuana industry, which experts say reflects the challenging economic headwinds facing the industry, including high taxes, high interest rates, rock-bottom stock prices and the slow pace of federal MJ reform. New York-based Cantor Fitzgerald and Cowen are among the more notable financial-services firms that have dropped coverage of U.S. plant-touching cannabis companies. “It speaks to the unhealthy state of our industry,” Jesse… Read more.

Holy Smokes

May 23, 2023 · Cannabis Now

Chef Jake Cohen’s professional culinary journey has been ruled by two constants: his love of cooking Jewish food and his love of cannabis. The chef, social media star, best-selling cookbook author and food-scene darling has been an out-and-proud stoner from the get-go. From his website, which proudly boasts the URL WakeAndJake.com, to his open discussion of using and loving cannabis, Cohen doesn’t shy away from the plant when building his personal brand—partly, he says, because cannabis has always been there for him.… Read more.

New Yorkers Vent Frustrations over Adult-Use Cannabis Program

May 22, 2023 · Green Market Report

From sparse enforcement to lack of transparency, program participants are frustrated. The New York adult-use cannabis program has been fraught with challenges, and many stakeholders are willing to express their frustrations. But a conference hosted in Albany, New York, by NY Cannabis Insider sought to add another element to that discussion: solutions. Here are some highlights from the conversations that took place last week. Unlicensed Enforcement One of the most prominent persistent issues in the New York market is how… Read more.

Adult-use cannabis sales in New York surpass $16.5 million

May 22, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Regulated adult-use marijuana sales in New York state have surpassed $16.5 million since the first dispensary opened in December, state regulators said last week. Despite early estimates projecting sales in excess of $1 billion in 2023, lawsuits and bureaucratic delays have consigned New York’s adult-use market to a slow start. Many licensed equity operators have struggled to secure funding and real estate to launch their businesses, and the multistate operators who hold most of New York’s limited medical marijuana licenses are still shut… Read more.

NYC Bakery Latest Target of Unlicensed Cannabis Crackdown

May 18, 2023 · Green Market Report

The bakery was ultimately shuttered due to health department violations. New York City’s haphazard enforcement against unlicensed cannabis shops took another shot on Monday. Sweetooth, an Upper East Side bakery allegedly selling unlicensed cannabis-infused products, was shut down by city officials in a multiagency raid led by the New York City Sheriff’s Office, according to Patch.com. Hundreds of cannabis edibles were confiscated in the action, and the bakery’s owner was arrested on a drug charge. The bakery, located just a few blocks… Read more.

Angel tech investor launches Gotham cannabis store with fresh New York City retail look

May 14, 2023 · MarketWatch

While people may buy more stuff online, they still like to go out and shop if stores offer them a way to engage their curiosity, a sense of adventure, and a place to gather. That’s what’s helped some retailers compete with the likes of Amazon.com AMZN, -1.71% or discounters such as Walmart Inc. WMT, -0.03%. And that’s the thinking behind tech entrepreneur Joanne Wilson’s newly-opened, state-licensed cannabis store, Gotham, located on 3 East 3rd Street just off the corner of the Bowery in downtown New… Read more.

Cannabis bars could debut on Long Island under new rules

May 14, 2023 · Newsday

Long Islanders may soon be able to share a joint with a fellow sports fan at the bar – or toke over trivia. Dozens of cannabis lounges may debut on Long Island under rules proposed by state regulators Thursday. Plans for pot bars were included in guidelines written to cover nearly every aspect of the recreational marijuana market, from growers to distributors to industry event organizers. Thursday was state regulators' second pass at the regulations, which run more than 300 pages. The… Read more.

Green Market Report Women’s Leadership Awards: Kassia Graham

May 11, 2023 · Green Market Report

Graham sees opportunity for both legacy operators and newcomers, but warns against opportunists. Social Impact: Kassia Graham, Cannaclusive Kassia Graham, a vocal advocate for diversity and equity in the cannabis industry, is using her platform to affect change. As the founder of Cannaclusive, Graham noted that the organization is “dedicated to helping to raise the profile of BIPOC in cannabis, whether they are consumers or people within the industry.” She was awarded the 2023 Green Market Report Women’s Leadership Award for… Read more.

The Newest NYC Dispensary Is a Women-Owned White-Glove Experience

May 11, 2023 · Thrillist

After perhaps too long, recreational weed was finally made legal across New York State in March 2021. Since then, New York City has slowly rolled out four legal dispensaries—each operated by individuals or organizations selected for their charitable missions and goals to promote entrepreneurship opportunities for those unjustly affected by cannabis-related arrests or imprisonment. This week welcomes New York City’s fifth legal dispensary with the debut of Gotham located in Downtown Manhattan on the Bowery. Founded by entrepreneur Joanne Wilson, who’s behind companies like Food52… Read more.

Luxury concept cannabis store set to open in East Village

May 9, 2023 · PIX11

You’ve seen cannabis dispensaries open in New York City over the past year, but you’ve never seen one quite like the one set to open in Manhattan’s East Village. Gotham is located on 3rd Street near the Bowery. The first things that catch your eyes on the shelves are not pipes and bongs. Instead, you will find everything from pillows, books, pottery, candles and even clothing. But make no mistake, you will find cannabis products there too. Joanne Wilson, the… Read more.

Key Senate Committee Chairman Says Marijuana Banking Bill Hearing Could Be Held Next Week

May 5, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

A key Senate committee chairman said on Thursday that a hearing on a bipartisan marijuana banking bill could be scheduled as early as next week, adding that lawmakers are going to “move quickly on it.” Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) told NBC News reporters that his panel could hold a hearing on the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act as soon as next Thursday, May 11. While a hearing hasn’t been formally scheduled yet, the comments come as senators… Read more.

New York Budget Includes $16M to Combat Unlicensed Cannabis Dispensaries

May 5, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York’s budget bill includes $16 million in funds to combat unlicensed cannabis dispensaries, the Buffalo News reports. The legislation, which was signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) this morning, increases fines for illegal operators from $500 to up to $7,500 for the first offense and increases the monetary penalties to up to three times the amount of tax that would have been collected on the sales. The bill also gives the state authority to mandate store closures, seek restraining orders, charge… Read more.

The Stoned Dogs of New York – Fox News’ Favorite New Reefer Madness Scare

May 4, 2023 · CelebStoner

Life’s not easy for a poodle in the Big Apple. Just ask Bondi - she’s been to the ER three times now for tripping out on the sweet cheeba. While her owner claims that it’s “accidental consumption”, one begins to wonder after the third event on just how accidental it truly is. It’s not just Bondi though - she’s part of a pack of stoned dogs roaming the streets of New York. You can see them wandering aimlessly, tongues lolling out, eyes glazed… Read more.

Legislation to curb unlicensed and illicit sale of cannabis included in New York State budget

May 4, 2023 · WKBW 7

Governor Kathy Hochul signed new legislation Wednesday in an attempt to curb the unlicensed and illicit sale of cannabis across New York State. The legislation allows the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to assess civil penalties against unlicensed cannabis businesses with fines of up to $20,000 a day and makes it a crime to sell cannabis and cannabis products without a license. In addition, the Office of Cannabis Management's ability to conduct regulatory inspections… Read more.

Colorado Marijuana Company Cancels New York Entrance, Cites ‘Painful Delays’

May 3, 2023 · Green Market Report

Terrapin signed a deal in 2021 to acquire property in Auburn. Colorado cannabis company Terrapin Care Station decided to reverse course on a previously announced production facility in the town of Auburn, New York, which a company spokesman said was due to delays in getting the broader market operational. Terrapin Care Station is a second-tier multistate operator, with a footprint in Michigan, Missouri, and Pennsylvania in addition to its home state of Colorado, according to the company website. Terrapin signed a real… Read more.

New York Brand Jaunty Confident in Ability to Compete with Illicit Market

May 1, 2023 · Green Market Report

Naturae, the company behind Jaunty, also buys wholesale cannabis from eight farms. New York cannabis farmer Nicolas Guarino is battle-scarred from five years of mostly flailing in the national hemp-CBD market, but his six-year-old company, Naturae, now appears poised to do well in the recreational marijuana market, which has already skyrocketed sales for the company. “It is early, but (sales have) been surprisingly high. We were counting on roughly $25,000 in sales per month per store, on average, and we’re… Read more.

Harlem Business Group Sues NY Over Planned Cannabis Dispensary

April 29, 2023 · Green Market Report

The group had already voiced concerns last year as regulators were teeing the rollout. The 125th Street Business District Management Association, a prominent Harlem business coalition, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against New York’s cannabis regulators, contesting the state’s plan to establish a recreational marijuana dispensary on the main artery of the neighborhood. The legal action, filed in the State Supreme Court of Manhattan, asserts that the shop would intensify existing public health issues that the block already struggles with. The proposed… Read more.

Cannabis producer Tilray makes US list of largest craft brewers

April 27, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Cannabis and alcohol company Tilray Brands has made a widely followed list of the largest craft brewers in the United States, an apparent first for the nation’s multibillion-dollar craft brewing industry. Tilray’s beer division ranked No. 9 on the Brewers Association’s annual report of the nation’s top craft companies based on beer sales volume in 2022. The company landed just behind the No. 8 craft brewer, Colorado-based CanArchy – a collective that includes Oskar Blues Brewery, Cigar City Brewing and other… Read more.

Pre-Roll Or Edible? Low-Dose Or No? What Cannabis Consumers Are Buying Today

April 26, 2023 · Forbes

Cannabis sales growth in a state where it has been newly-legalized is like an upside down hockey stick, said Jeff Gonick, founder of the New York company Bogart which makes low-THC pre-rolls. Sales start out strong and shoot up to serve existing cannabis smokers “and the generally curious,” he said. After a time though, that first consumer base gets saturated, so the growth in more mature markets, like those in California, Washington, and Colorado, slow or even plateau. After the first rush… Read more.

Green Market Report Women’s Leadership Awards: Rosie Mattio

April 25, 2023 · Green Market Report

Watching the birth of the adult-use market in Washington state, Rosie recognized an opportunity. Best Public Relations: Rosie Mattio, Mattio Communications Rosie Mattio is the founder of MATTIO Communications, the largest cannabis-focused marketing and public relations agency in North America. She recently received the GMR Women’s Leadership Award for Public Relations which was announced at the Women’s Summit in New York on March 23.  “I’m truly honored to receive this award,” Mattio said. “ I want to recognize the women (and men)… Read more.

New York City Celebrates Its First Legal 420

April 22, 2023 · Green Market Report

New York City celebrated its first legal 420 celebrations. There were 25 different events according to Event Brite, but we just checked out a few. Washington Square Park in the heart of Greenwich Village became the defacto festival as numerous unlicensed operators sold their wares and consumers enjoyed the lovely spring weather. Then it was on to the Standard High Line Hotel where Sackville had a pop up shop for the more well-heeled partiers. Lastly, we headed to The House… Read more.

Brands Mark 4/20, the High Holy Day of Cannabis

April 20, 2023 · Muse by CLIO

The 4/20 brand campaigns are coming in hot, so we're keeping tabs early and updating this page often with the best and brightest. Jack in the Box Jack's Edible Assortments launches on April 20 at food trucks in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco, with help from TBWA\Chiat\Day L.A. It includes a reintroduction of the Pineapple Express Shake, which includes munchies like popcorn chicken, onion rings, tiny tacos, mini pancakes, whipped cream and cherries. The first 100 food truck… Read more.

April 19 Bicycle Day Celebrates The First LSD Trip

April 18, 2023 · Green Market Report

While most people in the cannabis industry are gearing up for the high holiday of April, 20 or 420, our good friends in the psychedelic industry have their own day of celebration. It’s called Bicycle Day and it falls on April 19. The history is that on April 19, 1943, Albert Hofmann, the Swiss father of psychedelic medicine, dropped lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) at 4:20 pm, interestingly enough, and went on a bike ride, becoming the first human to trip on LSD. According to… Read more.

Expand Your Mind at the Best Weed Museums in the U.S.

April 15, 2023 · Thrillist

THE FIRST THING YOU SEE upon entering the Core Social Justice Cannabis Museum in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood is a digital stained glass window stamped “Cannfessional.” Behind it is a small sound booth, wrapped in cloud-print wallpaper, with a glowing neon chair and a microphone dangling from the ceiling. Facing the chair on the wall is a TV with a camera mounted on top. This is where you reveal your truth. With the Cannfessional, the museum encourages participants to record themselves telling stories… Read more.

SUNY Cobleskill’s minor in cannabis is preparing students for jobs in the industry

April 11, 2023 · Syracuse.com

SUNY Cobleskill is a college geared toward agriculture, farming and sustainability. Students study the ins and outs of agriculture, from animal science to landscape management. The school also has major programs in graphic design technology and the culinary arts. Starting last fall, students from these courses of study have consulted with Lesley Judd to join SUNY-Cobleskill’s newest minor: Cannabis Studies. “Almost every freshman we get here comes to talk to me about interest in doing the minor,” Judd said. “They see… Read more.

House of Cannabis Museum Opens in New York

April 9, 2023 · CelebStoner

New York City has a new marijuana museum. It's located in Soho in a five-story building dating back to 1870 that formerly housed American Apparel. Now it's the House of Cannabis. After being greeted by attentive staff members, our group was ushered upstairs. Beware, there are a lot of steep steps to climb. For handicapped people, there is an elevator. Starting on the fourth floor ("The Culture"), the Disorientation room begins with a bright green screen. Then a two-minute montage video… Read more.

Here’s a look at the anticipated House of Cannabis opening in SoHo this week

April 6, 2023 · AMNY

The highly-anticipated House of Cannabis (THC NYC) is set to open in SoHo this Friday, April 7. Located at 427 Broadway, the 30,000-square-foot building houses ten transformative, immersive experiences for guests to explore. Though it does not actually sell cannabis on-site, THC NYC is the first-ever permanent installation that celebrates “high culture” as well as the impact of cannabis on social reform, fashion, music, art, and cultivation. The journey begins on the fourth floor by taking a look through High… Read more.

Adult use cannabis sales expanding across New York State

April 2, 2023 · WAMC

With the legal marijuana business in New York ramping up, vendors and regulators alike are working overtime to prepare for what the state hopes will be an important new industry. At this Capital Region networking forum hosted non-profit NY Small Farma, industry movers and shakers share information and participate in a grading process to compare purity and potency levels of the newly legalized adult use cannabis. With a handful of stores already operating in New York City, shops upstate are… Read more.

First Capital Region cannabis store officially open for business

April 2, 2023 · WNYT

The Capital Region’s first adult-use cannabis dispensary is now officially open in Schenectady. Upstate Canna Co is located on Union Street.Dozens of people lined up to try several different products.The state has made many promises to advance New York’s goals of equity in cannabis licensing.All of the cannabis at the store was grown and tested in New York State. Upstate Canna Co is open seven days a week. (Full Story) Read more.

New York Judge Narrows Scope of Dispensary Licensing Injunction

March 31, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A New York Appeals Court judge on Tuesday narrowed the preliminary injunction on the state’s conditional adult-use retail dispensary (CAURD) plan to only include the state’s Finger Lakes region. The lawsuit, by Michigan-based Variscite NY One, had affected 63 of the 150 licenses set to be awarded to social equity applicants and prohibited licenses from being granted in the region along with Brooklyn, Central New York, the Mid-Hudson Area, and Western New York.    The decision by Judge Gary L. Sharpe will allow the state to… Read more.

New York’s Long Island opts out of marijuana retail, limiting options for store operators

March 24, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

When New York regulators announced plans to double recreational marijuana retail licenses to 300 for social equity applicants, local cannabis operators and other industry advocates applauded the news. But behind the scenes, concerns were mounting over the challenge of finding affordable cannabis real estate across large parts of the state because of zoning and commercial restrictions. About half of New York’s 1,520 municipalities have opted out of adult-use retail, according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government, a public policy think tank based in Albany.… Read more.

New York Gov. Proposes Crackdown on Unlawful Cannabis Shops

March 24, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is proposing legislation to crack down on unlicensed cannabis storefronts in the state, including fines of up to $10,000 per day for unlawful operations. The legislation would also give additional enforcement power to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Department of Taxation and Finance to enforce the new regulatory requirements and close stores engaged in cannabis sales without a license. The new legislation, which is being introduced as a governor’s program bill in the… Read more.

Move Over, Tribal Casinos. Cannabis Dispensaries Are Indian Country’s New, Expanding Enterprise

March 24, 2023 · Forbes

According to historians, the Shinnecock Indian Nation has lived on eastern Long Island for 10,000 years, rather a longer residency than the denizens of the surrounding uber-wealthy and celebrity-studded “Hamptons” can claim. Yet longevity has provided little leverage to the tribe’s leaders in recent years as they tried and failed to establish a gambling casino on or near their 1,000-acre tribal territory, located mostly on the “Neck,” a peninsula adjoining Southampton, New York, with its upscale restaurants, boutiques and private beach clubs.… Read more.

New York Sued Over Social Equity Cannabis Retail Licensing Plan

March 17, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

A group that includes some of New York’s medical cannabis companies is suing the state over its plan to issue adult-use retail cannabis licenses to social equity applicants before opening applications to all businesses, Syracuse.com reports. The complaint alleges unconstitutional overreach and policymaking, egregious abdication of duties, and actions that put citizens’ health and safety at risk.  The lawsuit was filed by the Coalition for Access to Regulated & Safe Cannabis which describes itself as “an unincorporated trade association.” The group includes Acreage… Read more.

New York’s Retail Bottleneck Could Fuel a $7.2B Illicit Market

March 16, 2023 · MG Magazine

crowd of people in the shape of a hourglass, 3d illustration

Illicit operators in New York are expected to capture $7.2 billion in untaxed revenue by 2030, according to a new report prepared by MPG Consulting for Acreage Holdings. In the New York Illicit Cannabis Market Absorption Analysis, MPG’s consultants outline the potential loss of 20,600 industry jobs and more than $2.6 billion in tax revenue over the next eight years if state regulators are unable to adequately address illicit market absorption. As the fourth-largest state by population with approximately 15 million adult residents,… Read more.

Marijuana MSOs sue New York over adult-use retail license delay

March 16, 2023 · MJ Biz Daily

Wooden judge gavel and us money dollar bills. Bribe concept

Multistate operators with New York medical cannabis licenses sued regulators on Thursday in an attempt to gain quick entry into the state’s adult-use marijuana market. The MSOs are currently shut out from New York’s legal recreational market. In a lawsuit filed in state Supreme Court in Albany, the Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis (CARSC) alleges that the Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board violated New York’s 2021 legalization law – the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act… Read more.

SUNY Orange cannabis class stirs the ‘pot’

March 16, 2023 · Syracuse.com

In assistant professor Monty Vacura’s course, students grow, harvest, dry, cure and even sell cannabis plants. This may sound like textbook drug dealing, but it’s actually a three-credit course in SUNY Orange’s biology department. “The class is a balance between workforce development and then the academic education side,” Vacura said. “I mean, basically, it feels like I’ve built a business.” SUNY Orange, in Middletown, launched the Horticultural Cannabis class last year. Students must take general horticulture as a prerequisite, but the… Read more.

How a NY Cannabis Insider experiment led to statewide policy change

March 10, 2023 · Syracuse.com

NY Cannabis Insider bought the eight highest-potency strains of legal recreational cannabis available in New York State on Feb. 24, drove them straight to a state-certified laboratory, placed them in anonymized Ziploc bags and submitted them for potency testing. What came back has kicked open a hornet’s nest within the NY cannabis ecosystem and led to a regulatory policy change within the past 24 hours that affects every cannabis grower, processor and consumer in the state. That’s because our lab results, which… Read more.

New York Doubles Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary Licenses

March 4, 2023 · Ganjapreneur

New York is doubling the number of adult-use cannabis dispensary licenses in the state from 150 to 300, according to a Spectrum News report. The state Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has so far received about 900 dispensary licenses and has issued 66 provisional licenses.  The expansion comes amidst a lawsuit by a Michigan-based cannabis company that has delayed the awarding of licenses in Brooklyn, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mid-Hudson Area, and Western New York.   In a statement, Tremaine Wright, chair… Read more.

Cannabis Dispensary Licenses in New York Will Double

March 3, 2023 · WENY News

ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) - New York State will be doubling the amount of available conditional adult-use retail cannabis dispensaries. The state said they originally planned to issue 150 licenses, but will now increase that figure to 300. The program's expansion will further advance New York State's Seeding Opportunity Initiative. The initiative gives those that were previously in jail for cannabis an opportunity to run a dispensary. In the southern tier, the number licenses will go to six, up from three. There… Read more.

Rapper Vic Mensa on Mushrooms, Ayahuasca and the New Legal Cannabis Industry

March 1, 2023 · Celeb Stoner

On the Revel events usually feature one major celebrity interview. In the past, it has been Styles P and Al Harrington. At their latest winter conferece at City Tech Theater in Brooklyn, NY on Feb. 25, rapper Vic Mensa was the final act of the day. Mensa has his own cannabis brand, 93 Boyz, based in Illinois. Last year, he was arrested for possessing LSD and psilocybin mushroom products at Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. In June, he made a plea deal that allows for unsupervised probation for one year.… Read more.

Lawmakers Across The Country File More Psychedelics Reform, Drug Decriminalization And Safe Consumption Site Bills

February 25, 2023 · marijuanamoment.net

The first two months of 2023 have shown expansive interest in bold drug policy reform in state legislatures across the country—most recently, with the introduction of numerous new bills touching on everything from psychedelics legalization to authorizing safe drug consumption sites. Lawmakers in several states will conduct hearings on such reform proposals over the next week. The marijuana legalization movement continues to spread and evolve, but it’s become quickly apparent this session that legislators are eager to more holistically move… Read more.