New York State issued 36 conditional retail cannabis licenses today. None went to multi-state operators. Instead, 28 were awarded to "justice-involved" applicants, meaning people who were previously arrested and convicted of a marijuana offense. The second main requirement is having run a profitable company over the last two years.
“We’re excited about granting the first adult-use cannabis licenses today,” Office of Cannabis Management spokesperson Trivette Knowles stated. “New York is ready for adult-use cannabis sales and we’re still working towards the goal of having the first sales begin this calendar year.”
New York State CAURD licenses were issued to the following New York City companies or residents:
• Carl M. Anderson III in the Bronx
• CGG Enterprises Inc. owned by Carson Grant in Queens
• Anthony Crapanzano and Candace Lee in Queens
• Eastern Holdings 88 LLC owned by Yan Jin Chen and Zu Rong Chen on Staten Island
• Florisun LLC owned by Keshawn Warner, Richard Rainone and Christopher Vianelle in Manhattan
• Suzanne M. Furboter and Fernando Pena in Queens
• Gabbys Green LLC owned by Keith Dalessio in Queens
• Gabriel Marin in Manhattan
• Nube NYC LLC owned by Hector Guerrero, Naiomy Guerrero, Hector Guerrero and Jarron Parnell in the Bronx
• Planet 51 LLC owned by Nicholas Koury in Manhattan
• Royal Leaf NY owned by Angell Turuseta and Emely Chavez in the Bronx
• SAMJNY Holdings LLC owned by Mohamed Elgaly and Shlomo Weinstock on Staten Island
• Smacked LLC owned by Roland Conner in Manhattan
New York State CAURD licenses were issued to the following non-profits:
Housing Works, The Doe Fund, Urban Upbound, Challenge Industries, the Center for Community Alternatives, LIFE Camps, the Broome County Urban League and STRIVE
A total of 175 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses will be awarded and supported by the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund.
"With the first adult-use retail dispensary licenses in the hands of businesses and eligible nonprofits, we’ve ensured the first sales will be made at dispensaries operated by those impacted by the unjust enforcement of cannabis prohibition,” Cannabis Control Board chair Tremaine Wright said in a press release.
New York legalized cannabis in 2021. The plan now is to open as of these stores as possible by the end of the year.
"Today marks a huge win for so many advocates who fought for years to end cannabis prohibition in New York State," added OCM executive director Chris Alexander. "Last year we ended prohibition, and now we’re making sure those harmed by prohibition are launching New York’s market."
