NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WBEN) -- The number of legal cannabis shops in New York State nearly doubled in a year, reaching a new high of more than 550 shops, state regulators said Friday.
The state’s Office of Cannabis Management said 556 licensed adult-use dispensaries had opened in the state as of Nov. 30., nearly doubling from the 261 dispensaries in 2024.
About a third of the dispensaries, more than 200, have opened in New York City.
Legal sales of cannabis have topped $2.5 billion since legalization in 2021, generating more than $360 million in tax revenue for the state. Through November, OCM processed 2,362 licenses and 798 license renewals.
"It's a great thing," said Ajaie Gibson, co-founder of Nonna Farms.
Gibson said the state has turned things around following an initially rocky rollout.
“This is a situation we're all proud of, and we're honored to be a part of it,” Gibson said.
Osbert Orduña, the owner of Cannabis Place in Middle Village, said that while “it’s a good thing overall,” disabled veterans who were supposed to be given priority have also been smoked out.
The veterans are “lost in application queues that have thousands and thousands of applicants,” he said.
Orduña said there also needs to be more crackdowns on the many illegal dispensaries that have popped up, adding some are now operating online.
According to the OCM, there were 2,017 enforcement actions in the state last year, resulting in the seizure of over $20 million worth of illicit cannabis products, as well as 248 inspections, 180 notices of violation and 89 orders to seal.