We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

New York’s governor confirms 20 weed stores will open this year

Calvin StovallPublished on October 6, 2022 · Last updated October 18, 2022
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul gives a news conference at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Albany, N.Y. Hochul is preparing to take the reins of power after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he would resign from office. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul gives a news conference at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo / Hans Pennink)

Gov. Kathy Hochul took credit for getting the adult market rolling quickly, saying the state would likely ‘still be waiting for the most basic steps’ had she not taken office in 2021.


New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that the state’s first licensed retailers are set to open their doors before 2023 begins. Her comments ended speculation that New York’s weed market is struggling to meet its long-promised 2022 launch date. She added that 20 more dispensaries are expected to open every month or so thereafter.

By state law, New York’s first dispensaries will be owned by residents with cannabis convictions. More than 900 Conditional Adult-Use Recreational Dispensary (CAURD) license applications were accepted within the 37-day window, which opened August 25 and closed September 30.

So far, the cannabis board has granted zero CAURD licenses. On September 16, the state’s cannabis office told Leafly that it had not begun reviewing applications yet, but that the review process would not stop some stores from opening this year.

Here’s what the governor said

photograph of New York Governor Kathy Hochul holding a microphone
(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

This week, Gov. Hochul was asked whether she was worried about shifting timelines for the rollout of New York’s retail market. She said the state’s timeline is “still on track,” in an exclusive interview with the Advance Media New York editorial board, according to New York Cannabis Insider’s Brad Racino.

Refusing to rush the process, Gov. Hochul added, “We’re not going to just jam it out there. It’s going to work and be successful.”

“We’re going to make sure that this is a model for the rest of the nation – especially with our desire to make sure that people who’ve been affected by the criminal justice system adversely … have the opportunity to work in this area.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul

Gov. Hochul is not messing around when it comes to the plant

According to Syracuse.com, Gov. Hochul also told the editorial board, “I was given a lot of credit because within one week, I named people. I got things going. So, when I speak to people about being part of this industry, the first thing they say is ‘thank you.’ Because otherwise we could still be waiting and waiting and waiting, even for the most basic steps to be taken. So we’ve been moving along quickly.”

New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo on March 31, 2021. But the new law saw almost no progress in the months that followed, as Cuomo had failed to establish a regulatory board.

More from The Hempire State

NYers with weed convictions will have priority in legal market image
Image Not Found
Industry
NYers with weed convictions will have priority in legal market
Calvin Stovall
September 21, 2022
Don't hold your breath for New York's legal weed market image
Image Not Found
Industry
Don’t hold your breath for New York’s legal weed market
Calvin Stovall
September 8, 2022
NY finally approves medical homegrow image
Image Not Found
Politics
NY finally approves medical homegrow
Amelia Williams
September 20, 2022
11 reasons why NY loves Leafly image
Image Not Found
Lifestyle
11 reasons why NY loves Leafly
Mikhail Harrison
May 13, 2022

When Gov. Hochul took his place in August 2021, she acted immediately. Her first move was appointing Tremaine Wright to lead the Cannabis Control Board and Chris Alexander to head the Office of Cannabis Management. New York cannabis regulators began meeting in October 2021, and gave an 18-month window to establish a legal framework for cannabis.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries

Here’s why some people are skeptical the state will hit its deadline

New York’s MRTA outlines essential steps that must take place before the state’s market launches. Many of those steps are still incomplete.

First, the publication of full regulations for industry governance has been pushed back multiple times by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The year-plus of missed deadlines has raised red flags among industry insiders and politicians who think the 2022 launch date seems unlikely.

Another potential cause for delay: The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) is overseeing the brick-and-mortar construction of the 150 incoming retail dispensaries. But the agency hasn’t secured any locations yet. And no money has been raised for the social equity fund meant to help launch the CAURD businesses.

On top of all that, the state hasn’t identified a banking partner that will house its massive social equity fund. And some are skeptical that the OCM can review and grade 900 applications quickly enough to license and launch stores before 2023. The question of supply is another major talking point.

More NYC cannabis news

Mayor Eric Adams appoints Dasheeda Dawson as Cannabis NYC founding director image
Image Not Found
Politics
Mayor Eric Adams appoints Dasheeda Dawson as Cannabis NYC founding director
Benzinga
October 13, 2022
Here's why NYC busted Weed World trucks image
Image Not Found
Industry
Here’s why NYC busted Weed World trucks
Christopher Minaya
August 23, 2022
NYC Mayor Adams defies state’s desire to crack down on gifting stores image
Image Not Found
Politics
NYC Mayor Adams defies state’s desire to crack down on gifting stores
Calvin Stovall
June 6, 2022
Go inside NYC’s secret weed shops: Fire strains and hidden lounges image
Image Not Found
Lifestyle
Go inside NYC’s secret weed shops: Fire strains and hidden lounges
Max Savage Levenson
May 4, 2022
Views from NYC’s 420 weekend melting pot image
Image Not Found
Lifestyle
Views from NYC’s 420 weekend melting pot
Mikhail Harrison
April 26, 2022
28 grams of game: GUMBO's Luka Brazi image
Image Not Found
Industry
28 grams of game: GUMBO’s Luka Brazi
Mikhail Harrison
August 17, 2022
5 hot tokes from Rolling Loud New York 2022 image
Image Not Found
Lifestyle
5 hot tokes from Rolling Loud New York 2022
Amelia Williams
September 26, 2022
New York's making a mess of legalization so far image
Image Not Found
Politics
New York’s making a mess of legalization so far
Max Savage Levenson
July 14, 2022

Two reasons to be optimistic about NY’s 2022 timeline

The state anticipates opening 150 dispensaries for CAURD applicants, plus 25 for nonprofits. Since the nonprofits won’t have to wait on the aforementioned regulations for DASNY properties or the $200 million social equity cannabis investment fund, they could have a faster track to opening.

As for supply, there are now hundreds of licensed cultivators and processors already making way.

All facts considered, it could be high time for New Yorkers to start getting hyped for day one of adult-use sales.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
2022adult-use cannabisdispensariesNew YorkOpening Day
Calvin Stovall
Calvin Stovall
Calvin Stovall is Leafly's East Coast Editor.
View Calvin Stovall's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.