Capital Region — Though it has been criticized as slow to start, the recreational marijuana industry in New York is kicking into high gear as the year winds down.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday about 40 Adult-Use Dispensaries will have opened in 2023.
The governor’s press release noted that 12 Black-Owned operations opened their doors this year, bringing the total of black-owned shops to more than 20% in New York, compared to the less than .2% nationally.
The cities of Troy and Amsterdam were among the municipalities to welcome their first adult-use dispensaries.
As New York expands the most equitable cannabis market in the nation, my administration remains committed to building a safe industry for all New Yorkers that will grow our small business community,” Governor Hochul said. “These new dispensaries continue our mission of strengthening our legal market while at the same time helping to push out the bad actors who skirt our laws and undermine all we are trying to accomplish.
Among the 37 dispensaries across the state, eight are majority Black-owned, five are Hispanic-owned and nine are women-owned, “highlighting New York’s commitment to fostering a representative and inclusive cannabis market.”
According to recent industry research, fewer than 20 out of the 10,000