New York to implement legal marijuana dispensary before New Year

The first legal dispensary for the sale of dope for recreational use in NY will open its doors on December 29, a highly anticipated opening for an industry that could become one of the most lucrative in USA.

The governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that Housing Works, a minority-controlled nonprofit in Manhattan that helps people with HIV and AIDS, will be the first of 36 newly approved dispensaries to begin selling cannabis to the general public, despite that dozens of illegal shops have been operating for several months.

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The announcement came a month after the state’s Cannabis Control Board took a monumental step to establish a legal market for marijuana after it issued the first round of licenses. In the coming months, the state plans to issue 139 more licenses, although there are about 900 applicants waiting to hear about their future.

“The industry will continue to grow from now on, creating inclusive opportunities throughout New York State, with revenue going to our schools and revitalizing communities.Hochul said in his announcement.

New York legalized the recreational use of marijuana in March 2021.

Housing Works, which also helps the homeless and ex-convicts, was one of eight nonprofit organizations that received the first licenses.

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“This opportunity will not only give our team resources to further our overall mission, but will also include and advance products that come from brands produced by the LGBTQ+ community, the BIPOC community, and women across the state.”said Charles King, CEO of Housing Works, using the acronym BIPOC to refer to the Black, Indigenous and people of color community.

The state reserved its first round of sales licenses for applicants with marijuana possession convictions or their family members, plus some nonprofit groups. It also plans to create a $200 million public-private fund to help applicants for “social equality”.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.