NY Cannabis Market Soars To $654M But Equity Licensees Are Left Behind, Report Finds
Despite increasing revenue, over 200 retail license holders, especially social equity programs, remain in limbo.
A report filed with the New York State Legislature on Oct. 1 by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) reveals significant growth in the state's legal cannabis market, which has now generated nearly $654 million in sales.
However, despite the increasing revenue, over 200 retail license holders, particularly those granted permits through social equity programs, remain in limbo, Green Market Report wrote.
The 2024 report offers a comprehensive overview of the state's cannabis industry, addressing critical challenges such as enforcement against unlicensed operators, gaps in regulation and the financial obstacles that social equity businesses continue to face.
Social Equity Licenses In Limbo
Among the 1,704 permits approved to date, 205 are Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses issued to applicants with past cannabis convictions, commonly referred to as “justice-involved” individuals. Despite these approvals, only 150 of the license holders have opened operational dispensaries, with many struggling to secure compliant retail spaces and funding.
"OCM has reviewed and scored every CAURD application received," the report said. The Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund, originally intended to inject $200 million into the industry to help these applicants, has only been utilized by 20 of the 463 CAURD licensees, leaving many without the necessary financial support to proceed.
Medical Marijuana Operators Slow To Enter Adult-Use Market
The report also highlighted the slow progress made by the 10 companies licensed to grow and sell medical cannabis. To date, only four companies – Curaleaf Holdings Inc, Etain, Fiorello Pharmaceuticals and PharmaCann – have opened weed shops, with most operators hesitant to move into the adult-use marijuana sector.
While there is optimism that new licenses will be granted soon, with applications being reviewed, the pace of industry growth remains uneven.
Record Sales But Ongoing Challenges
New York’s legal cannabis market reached a record $97.4 million in sales in August, bolstered by continued enforcement efforts to curb unlicensed sales. The state's regulators are actively cracking down on illegal cannabis operations, particularly in New York City, which has led to a steady increase in legal sales.
Despite these successes, the report acknowledges that significant work remains to be done to create a sustainable and equitable industry. The OCM outlined policy recommendations aimed at reducing regulatory costs for licensees, providing more financial support to social equity businesses and revising packaging rules to promote sustainability.
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