August 22, 2022, New York City’s Mayor, Eric Adams, announced the launch of Cannabis NYC, a program under the city’s Department of Small Business that will promote equity in the cannabis industry by supporting those most impacted by the drug war. The project seeks to aid potential dispensary operators to complete the licensing process, but will also connect those working to enter the cannabis industry to already flourishing cannabis businesses.
To qualify for this conditional adult-use marijuana retail license, applicants must have experience operating a qualifying business and have been convicted for a cannabis-related offense before the legalization of marijuana in New York or have a direct relative with such a conviction. Specifically, those who have been arrested for marijuana, but convicted for a lesser offense directly. Those “justice-involved” individuals disadvantaged by cannabis criminalization will be the first to have these conditional adult-use retailer licenses. The online application portal will be open for a month and close on September 26, 2022.
Phase one of Cannabis NYC will focus on application assistance for the “justice-involved”, such as answering questions about requirements, hosting educational webinars, and providing assistance with application submission until the portal closes.
Later, as the market matures, Cannabis NYC will provide networking opportunities, look for ways to expand access to capital for marijuana entrepreneurs, and give business support tailored to the cannabis industry in efforts to establish Cannabis NYC as a global brand.
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