In New York, the rollout of legal cannabis has encountered significant challenges, leading to a proliferation of unlicensed cannabis shops across the city. Despite promises of social equity and a program aimed at granting dispensary licenses to aspiring owners, many applicants have been left disillusioned. The city's lawmakers are making renewed efforts to address the estimated 2,500 unlicensed shops, but so far, these efforts have largely been unsuccessful. The slow legal weed rollout has inadvertently fostered a 'gray' market, with aspiring cannabis store owners waiting on license approvals while illegal pot shops continue to operate. This situation has prompted a wide array of state and city agencies, including the Governor's office, the Legislature, the NYPD, and the Office of Cannabis Management, to seek ways to shut down these illegal operations.
NYS Governor NYS Legislature NYS Sheriff's Office NYC Mayor NY City Council NYPD NYC District Attorneys NYS Office of Cannabis Management NYS Tax Department All want to shut down illegal cannabis shop yet shops are proliferating.
News that City Hall plans to end one of the nation’s most infamous open-air drug markets has been slow to spread on Kensington Avenue, leaving uncertainty over what’s next. https://t.co/3R1cBCEXXq
How the New York City metro area's slow legal weed rollout created a boom in 'gray' market cannabis shops https://t.co/IdYXJQMmNm
Earlier this week, @NewYorker's @jiatolentino broke down her reporting on the rollout of marijuana legalization in New York, specifically on those who are struggling to capitalize on a state program that promises dispensary licenses. Take a listen: https://t.co/RFXHSGoRQJ
NYC pot dispensary pushing woke ‘Weed & Read’ program with pricey cannabis products https://t.co/Pz5A8ijROQ https://t.co/1kfWIFX18h
Aspiring-cannabis store owner waits on license approval as illegal pot shops run rampant in NYC https://t.co/yVxQhrf3AI https://t.co/IC0rBRLhnI
🌱 NYC lawmakers try yet again to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops A renewed push to weed out the estimated 2,500 unlicensed shops in the city. So far, it's largely been a losing battle. https://t.co/xZMAuP9fxF
Jia Tolentino reports on New York’s legal-weed rollout—and how a program promising social equity left many applicants disillusioned. https://t.co/SnahPXp1w7 https://t.co/9qZI6Q9A6p