New York state is hosting three publiclistening sessions this week in New York City to gather input on proposals to legalize recreational marijuana.

The meetings are scheduled for Monday in Queens, Tuesday in Brooklyn and Wednesday on Staten Island. Several listening sessions have already been held upstate, and more are planned throughout the state.

On Friday two more in Westchester and Suffolk counties were added to the calendar for October.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers are expected to take up proposals to legalize and regulate marijuana next year. State officials say the listening sessions will help guide them as they work out the details of the legislation.

Brooklynites are closer than ever to getting access to legal medical marijuana in their own borough.​

The borough of Brooklyn in New York City is slated to get its first medical marijuanadispensary by the end of this year, according to a release from cannabis company Citiva Medical. The firm is one of ten medicinal cannabis providers licensed by the state of New York.

Amy Holdener, the director of marketing and communications at Citiva Medical, told High Times via email that the company is looking forward to opening its new dispensary.

Reefer Madness has gripped Wall Street.

Investors are craving marijuana stocks as Canada prepares to legalize pot next month, leading to giant gains for Canada-based companies listed on U.S. exchanges. Some experts are concerned that the ending will be a buzzkill.

When it comes to the New York pot rush, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance is anything but a buzzkill. The borough’s top lawman spoke to marijuana enthusiasts and entrepreneurs on Tuesday night about the “future” of cannabis in NYC — and told them flat-out that he was rooting for their success.

“I want you all to be successful and legal,” Vance said, noting how the Big Apple was the largest black market for pot in the country. “New York needs to take a lead responsibly — with speed,” he added.

The question “Should NY legalize marijuana sales to persons 21 years of age or older?” has already been decided. The public is in favor — 63 percent of us say yes. Those who agree represent all political parties, genders, races and ethnicities.

New York state has invested time and resources to study the health, social and economic impacts of legalization in states where marijuana is legal. Economists have run the numbers estimating sales and tax revenue and jobs creation potential for New York state. Conclusions overwhelmingly support legalization in New York state.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance dropped more than 3,000 cannabis-related cases on Wednesday in New York City Criminal Court. This is an act he said will both serve justice and address the role that race has played in prosecuting marijuana cases.

There are 3,042 cases dating back as far 1978 that have been dismissed and include misdemeanors and violation cases in which a warrant was issued because the defendant did not appear in court. They do not include violent offenses or cases where the defendant was convicted, according to Vance.

New York City prosecutors are decriminalizing cannabis in the courtroom while efforts continue in the streets.

Marijuana advocates told a New York panel considering legalization that it should be affordable and accessible to everyone rather than enriching corporate producers and state tax coffers.

Of about 30 people who spoke at the first of 15 "listening sessions" on legalizing recreational marijuana Wednesday evening, most touted its therapeutic qualities and many advocated letting people grow their own. A few spoke against legalization, citing potential adverse health effects.

Marijuana will be a big issue when lawmakers return to Albany in January. In July, state health officials recommended legalizing recreational marijuana in a 74-page report that estimated it could generate nearly $700 million in tax revenues for the state.

New York’s Chelsea Market just got a lot greener.

Shacked up in New York City’s bustling indoor Chelsea Market, head shop Higher Standards blends in with the other upscale stores selling designer eyewear, vegan sushi, and swanky hot sauce.

And keeping up with its classy neighbors, the Higher Standards flagship store offers its customers an elevated head shop experience catered to their curiosity.

The New York state Assembly is restarting its efforts to pass an adult-use bill, seeking input from industry experts and the wider public.

It has been an action-packed summer in New York as far as efforts to change marijuana laws go. And all signs point to the imminent legalization of cannabis for adult use. Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed a panel to draft a legalization bill after a multi-agency study he ordered earlier this year recommended New York pursue legalization. Likewise seeking input on the matter, the state Assembly announced today a series of four public hearings on legalizing cannabis. The hearings will take place this fall.