It has been more than five years since former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act into law, making it legal for adults 21 and older to buy and possess marijuana.
Since then, New York State has received more than $3.5 billion in tax revenue from purchasers of legal marijuana statewide, thanks to hundreds of dispensaries opening, including more than a dozen in Westchester.
But five years later, there are still opponents of the law and the idea that anyone over 18 can walk into a dispensary and buy legal pot, or gummies or other forms of THC.
Some claim that there has been a spike in the number of young New Yorkers now smoking pot on a regular basis. But supporters of the law claim that it is safer for anyone over 18 who chooses to smoke pot to do so legally, and without fear of buying dangerous weed off the street.
Despite that fear, the illegal marijuana market in New York state, and in the tri-state region (New Jersey and Connecticut also legalized in 2021), continues, despite an aggressive push by the NY Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) closing hundreds of illegal stores selling illegal pot and vapes to young adults.
The New York State Cannabis Enforcement Task Force has shut down 230 locations statewide, seizing more than $63 million in illegal cannabis products.
Many New Yorkers who have applied to open a dispensary have had to wait because thousands of applicants have been waiting years for a license. OCM has handed out more than 2,000 licenses, with thousands more waiting to open.
Just like any retail store, some dispensary operators have succeeded, while others have failed.
“Five years ago, New York committed to building a cannabis market rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity, and today, that commitment is delivering real results,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement last week. “We are creating new pathways for small businesses while aggressively shutting down illicit shops that threaten public safety and undermine our legal market. Our focus is clear: protect consumers, support legal businesses, and ensure this industry grows the right way.”
On the five-year anniversary of legalization in March, OCM celebrated the 600th dispensary opening in Manhattan.
The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act also requires that half of all licenses go to Social and Economic Equity applicants. 57% have gone to women-owned businesses and 51% to minority owned businesses.
And the state has also expunged more than 400,000 cannabis-related convictions, with Gov. Hochul saying that nobody is currently incarcerated in state prison for a marijuana-related offense alone, the governor’s release says.
A total of $10 million has been earmarked for youth development.
“We, as legislators and leaders in the state, have a duty to take steps to correct the harm that was done by the War on Drugs. As the adult-use cannabis market in New York State continues to grow, we must not lose sight of the equity tenets of MRTA,” said Assemblymember Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes.
Legislation has been proposed to permit liquor stores to sell low-dose cannabis infused drinks, and it is now legal to sell at farmers’ markets.
Last month, OCM launched Cannabis Honestly, a statewide public education campaign that provides young people and adults with clear, practical information about cannabis.
Cannabis Honestly grew out of a year-long statewide Listen and Learn effort that brought together more than 450 young people, parents, educators, and community leaders through 23 facilitated conversations across New York. Participants shared how cannabis is showing up in young people’s lives today, the questions they have, where they get information, and the kinds of resources they want.
New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Adolescence is a critical period of brain development, and it’s important for parents and caregivers to learn how to talk openly and effectively about the risks of cannabis use during this important time. The Cannabis Honestly campaign was carefully and thoughtfully designed to equip parents and caregivers with the tools they need to have real-world conversations with their children about cannabis. As New York’s cannabis landscape continues to evolve, the Department remains committed to working with our partners to provide communities with meaningful health education and resources.”
OCM’s Listen + Learn Report found that 60% of young adults would go to a parent or trusted adult—but only about 1 in 10 adults felt prepared for that conversation
“In Mount Vernon, we were proud to partner with the Office of Cannabis Management during its Listen + Learn sessions because we know the best public initiatives begin by listening to the people they are meant to serve. The Cannabis Honestly campaign reflects those voices by providing trusted, evidence-informed resources that empower parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults to have meaningful conversations with our youth. Honest dialogue, education, and strong community partnerships are essential to helping young people make informed decisions, and I commend OCM for creating a campaign that puts New York families and communities first,” said Mayor Patterson-Howard, Mayor of the City of Mount Vernon.
Many middle-aged and older adults are now using legal cannabis, gummies, and THC to help with their health conditions, including sleep.
“As outlined in my State of the State, New York is committed to building a cannabis framework rooted in public health and safety,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “The State continues to lead in building a responsible, health-centered cannabis market.”
One ongoing research study examines the benefits that CBD and THC have to help with IBD Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Nurses and healthcare professionals are now specializing in helping patients navigate both New York’s Medical Cannabis Program and explore medical cannabis as part of their care.
Here in Westchester, there are 29 legal dispensaries,
7 in Yonkers; 3 in Mt. Vernon; 2 in New Rochelle; 7 in White Plains; 1 in Tarrytown and 1 in Sleepy Hollow, 2 in Ossining and 5 in Peekskill.
There are also more than 20 communities that opted out and do not permit the sale of marijuana, DESPITE the state law. The are:
Westchester Municipalities That Opted Out of Retail Dispensaries: Ardsley Bronxville Eastchester Elmsford Harrison Irvington Larchmont Lewisboro Mamaroneck (Town) Mamaroneck (Village) Mount Kisco Mount Pleasant New Castle North Castle North Salem Pelham Manor Pleasantville Port Chester Rye (City) Rye Brook Somers Tuckahoe Yorktown