Recreational marijuana sales would likely begin by December|LIHERALD|CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
New York’s Cannabis Control Board issued its first 36 licenses Monday, many of which went to individuals or their family members who suffered in the past due to the drug’s illegal status.
New York legalized recreational cannabis in 2021. Granting licenses marks the next step in creating a legal market for recreational marijuana. Out of 900 applicants, the board provided the first licenses to 28 individuals and eight non-profit groups.
Recreational marijuana sales would likely begin by the end of this year.
The delay and challenges
The delay in approving dispensaries can be attributed to a court ruling over license criteria. But the board is in the process of granting licenses to other selected applicants soon.
The new legal dispensaries would likely face difficulties due to the illegal black market as well as the existing recreational stores that popped up after the 2021 ruling legalizing weed.
According to Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, illegal weed sales prosper in New York, acquiring an estimated $1.95 billion in 2022. Illegal sales affect the state’s tax revenue as black market sellers do not pay taxes.