New York's 100th Legal Cannabis Dispensary Opens
Image source: My 420 Tours
New York was once the marijuana arrest capital of the world — with almost 51,000 low-level possession arrests in 2010 in New York City alone.
On April 17 2024, the state marked a milestone in an exciting new trajectory: a New Paltz business – Big Gas – became the 100th licensed cannabis dispensary to open in New York.
Big Gas was founded in 2023 as a marijuana delivery service, and opened its doors as a brick-and-mortar retail site in a former gas station on April 17. The business is owned by a Middletown couple, Kareem Haynesworth and Zymia Lewis.
Haynesworth's life dramatically changed in the 1990s when he was incarcerated for possessing a small amount of cannabis. Upon his release, Haynesworth faced the harsh reality of limited opportunities available to formerly incarcerated people. His story underscores the importance of New York's cannabis laws, which incorporate licensing provisions to promote social equity by offering new opportunities to individuals like Haynesworth.
The first purchase at the store was made by Chris Alexander, executive director of New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), who bought a packet of edibles.
The roll-out of cannabis business licenses in New York State has been marred with criticism. Many applicants have waited many months, or longer, to have their application reviewed. Some businesses have also criticized the OCM’s complex and lengthy bureaucratic process for those who wish to submit applications.
Governor Kathy Hochul has pledged to speed up the cannabis licensing process and has ordered a swift review of the OCM.
"It just takes too long to get approvals for the legal industry, and I'm frustrated," Hochul said this week. "I've called this out for a long time."
All New Yorkers can now take a free course for launching a marijuana start-up.
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