World
New York issues first licenses for legal pot dispensaries
NEW YORK (AP) — New York issued its first 36 hashish dispensary licenses on Monday, taking a monumental step in establishing a authorized — and profitable — market for leisure marijuana.
The licenses accredited by the state’s Hashish Management Board have been the primary of 175 the state plans to problem, with many within the first spherical reserved for candidates with previous convictions for marijuana offenses.
Eight nonprofit teams have been among the many 36 licensees granted Monday.
A number of the dispensaries, chosen from a pool of greater than 900 candidates, are anticipated to open by the top of the yr.
New York has additionally deliberate a $200 million public-private fund to help “social fairness” candidates to assist redress the ravages of the battle on medication, particularly in communities of shade.
“In the present day is a monumental day for New York’s nascent hashish trade. With the primary adult-use retail dispensary licenses within the fingers of companies and eligible nonprofits, we’ve ensured the primary gross sales will likely be made at dispensaries operated by these impacted by the unjust enforcement of hashish prohibition,” mentioned Tremaine Wright, who chairs the Hashish Management Board.
A courtroom ruling earlier this month has delayed the board from approving dispensaries in some elements of the state amid a authorized dispute over licensing standards. Nonetheless, officers mentioned they’d problem the remaining licenses as shortly as doable.
With the primary licenses now issued, it remained to be seen whether or not officers would step up their efforts to go after scores of unauthorized dispensaries opened up to now yr by individuals who shrugged at licensing necessities.
New York legalized leisure use of marijuana in March 2021 however remains to be within the means of licensing folks to promote it.
The hashish board additionally superior proposed laws for the sale of marijuana, with a concentrate on public well being, product high quality and security and stopping these below 21 from shopping for hashish.