The first legal dispensary for the recreational use of marijuana opened on Thursday in Carle Place, New York.
The dispensary was opened in New York City’s East Village by Housing Works, a non-profit organization that combats issues like homelessness and AIDS— they were the first among 36 groups or individuals the state granted a marijuana retail license. Hundreds gathered in celebration of the opening, which paves the way for more rights for recreational marijuana.
“We’re prioritizing repairing harm, harm that’s been done even by the state’s own policies,” Chris Alexander, the inaugural executive director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, said at the dispensary’s grand opening news conference. “It’s no accident that disproportionately people who are incarcerated for possession and sale of drugs are people who are Black, Latino or Latina.”
The path to legalizing marijuana in New York began in 2016 when Cannabis was made legal for medical purposes. New York became the 15th state to legalize recreational marijuana in March 2021. The market is expected to be worth $7 billion once it becomes fully operational and more stores open throughout the state. Marijuana sales will be taxed at 13.5%, which will go towards public education, public housing, addiction and mental health services.
“People can make a living,” Peggy Pliscott who works as a hairstylist in the East Village told Reuters. “People can buy what they need legally. Seems a win-win.”
New Yorkers can now buy and use marijuana products if they are over the age of 21.
The legalization of cannabis benefits people previously arrested for marijuana convictions. Under the new law, their records will be wiped clean.
As of August 15, New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) approved 15 applicants for conditional processor licenses, allowing manufacturers to use state-grown cannabis to make marijuana products and allocate them to retailers. The OCM also approved 19 conditional adult-use cultivator licenses to small farms and growers.
The future of marijuana in New York is ever-changing. Though the exact date is unknown, growing marijuana at home, cannabis delivery and lounges will soon be allowed in the state.
