Cannabis News
New York Officials Celebrate 500th Marijuana Dispensary Opening, With $2.3 Billion In Sales Since Market Launch
New York’s marijuana regulators are celebrating the opening of the state’s 500th legal cannabis dispensary, citing $2.3 billion in adult sales since the market opened, supporting about 25,000 jobs across the industry.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Green Comfort Dispensary became the 500th adult-use marijuana licensee to open its doors in the state since its launch in late 2022.
Felicia AB Reid, executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), said in a press release that “the growing number of licensed dispensaries reflects a market that is maturing with a purpose.”
“Every new business represents economic growth, community investment and safer access for consumers,” he said. “Together, New York’s legal cannabis market, industry innovation and consumer demand show no signs of slowing down,” they state.
Beyond the 500 store milestone, OCM also highlighted other industry growth statistics, including the approval of 1,949 adult cannabis businesses across all license types. Today there are dispensaries in 51 regions and 161 municipalities throughout the state.
“Each licensed store represents an operator, proven products and a community that chooses safer cannabis,” said Jessica Garcia, president of the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). “Reaching 500 shows the momentum of the industry and our focus on equity, compliance and consumer protection.”
Of the nearly 2,000 adult-use licenses issued so far, OCM said 56 percent have gone to social equity businesses that have been disproportionately affected by the ban.
With tax revenue from marijuana sales and license fees, $5 million has been invested in community reinvestment initiatives, another $5 million has gone toward a grant program for conditional business licenses for eligible applicants, and $2.6 million has contributed to technical assistance for those seeking to enter the market.
“Equity has been the bedrock of this market since the beginning,” said Simone Washington, Chief Equity Officer at OCM. “Achieving this milestone reinforces that progress is possible when equity is built and embedded in the system. Our focus remains that equity is not just a paper principle, but a measurable outcome at every level of the industry.”
Tim Tanavung, CEO of Green Comfort Dispensary, said “it is truly an honor to be recognized as NYS’s 500th licensed historic dispensary.”
“It is truly a labor of love and passion from myself, David and the entire staff at Green Comfort,” he said. “We are excited to promote a vessel that we can give back to the community, the city of Rochester and the state. We are optimistic for the future of Green Comfort and NYS cannabis.”
As for marijuana sales in the Empire State, regulators announced in September that the state had It officially surpassed $2 billion in adult cannabis purchases.
Meanwhile, given the confusion in the market about temporary license terms, the CCB said it will extend the renewal period for adult conditional use to December 31, 2026.
“This extension provides more time for licensees to secure viable locations and obtain full licensure,” OCM said. “It will also apply to temporary licenses issued between September 9, 2025 and December 30, 2025, ensuring clarity and consistency for all temporary licensees.”
Part of the uncertainty surrounding provisional licensees a the recently identified zoning issue affects more than 100 cannabis businesses Those located too close to public schools or places of worship than permitted by applicable statute. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said she will push the legislature to change the state’s marijuana law to address the problem.
—
It’s Marijuana Moment tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—
Meanwhile, both chambers of New York’s legislature passed the legislation earlier this year extend the deadline for electronic tax returns for marijuana companiessending the proposal near the governor’s desk.
If signed into law, the measure would give cannabis manufacturers and distributors an extra 30 days to file their tax returns after the end of each quarterly tax year. Currently, companies have 20 days to submit documents, and the legislation would extend it to 50 days.
Sponsors of the bill noted that Hochul vetoed the cannabis business tax reform proposal late last year, saying it would lead to “significant operational challenges for the state and confusion for taxpayers,” but that they have worked to address those concerns in the current version.
The earlier measure would have been vetoed It allowed marijuana growers and processors to pay excise taxes annually rather than quarterly—A change that would extend the same treatment that the state already offers to the alcohol industry.
In July, New York officials announced First round of grants for $5 million program to support retail marijuana businesses for justice-involved people cover start-up costs.
About three months after opening applications Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Grant ProgramOCM and Empire State Development (ESD) announced Wednesday that 52 licensed dispensaries have been awarded up to $30,000 each for start-up and operating costs such as rent, renovations, inventory tracking and security systems.
To enter the program, applicants must be “justice-involved,” meaning a marijuana-related conviction, and experience running a profitable business.
Meanwhile, OCM recently launched a new online map to help adults find licensed marijuana shops—one of the latest efforts to encourage consumers to buy their cannabis on the regulated market.
After a surprising expansion of the state’s legalization law opened the door to a proliferation of illegal marijuana shops, governors and regulators have made it a priority to educate citizens about the need to buy their products from licensed dispensaries as a health and safety imperative.
The broader New York campaign also involved digital advertising and educational resources, including a guide to safe consumption practices, as well as graphics and videos from licensed cannabis business owners and messages about the benefits of participating in the regulated market.
OCM also advises that “enforcement against the illegal market is critical to building a regulated health market,” pointing to what it describes as a successful enforcement effort in 2024. Last spring, for example, New York City officials launched Operation Padlock, an enforcement initiative aimed at shutting down illegal storefronts.. Within a few months, sales at licensed stores that were open before the start of operations rose 105 percent, according to an OCM survey.
Regulators are also moving forward new regulations proposed around the state’s “cannabis showcase” programwhich allows licensed businesses to sell to consumers at farmers market-like events.
As originally authorized, the showcase events were largely a response to the slow expansion of New York’s adult marijuana program. There have been numerous delays in implementation between lawsuits and other issues.
Separately, Hochul signed state budget legislation it did not include a previously controversial provision that would have allowed police to use the smell of marijuana as probable cause that a driver is impaired and then forced to take a drug test.
Legislative amendments removed the provision, which had a coalition of 60 reform groups He argued that Hochul-i and senior lawmakers would “repeat some of the worst damage of the war on drugs.” and allow law enforcement to “restart unconstitutional racial profiling of drivers.”
In April, New York cannabis regulators and labor officials has announced the launch of a staff training program The state’s marijuana industry is legally required to “provide comprehensive safety training to employees.”
Additionally, the press secretary of the OCM stated that the office is working on plans to expand permit and license regulations. adults can buy and use marijuana in movie theaters. Allowing the sale of cannabis products in theaters would set New York apart as the state continues to build legalization legislation.
At the beginning of the year, a collective Companies licensed under the CAURD program asked Hochul to forgive tens of millions of dollars in high-cost loans. issued under a social equity loan fund created by the governor.
A member of the state legislature In December, he said that there is a need to extend the subsidies to CAURD graduatesmany of them are struggling under high cost loans.
Critics — the NAACP New York State Conference, Black Cannabis Industry Association, Minority Cannabis Business Association, Service Disabled Veterans in Cannabis Association, Drug Policy Alliance, NYC NORML and VOCAL-NY — wrote to the governor earlier that month. to express dismay at what they described as marijuana regulators’ “efforts to serve big corporations at the expense of small business and equity results.”
Photo by Mike Latimer.
Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
Ora Pharm has confirmed that New Zealand patients, prescribers and pharmacies continue to have uninterrupted access to Helius Therapeutics products following the successful acquisition of the business and its key assets, directly challenging the misinformation being circulated to patients and prescribers by cannabis importer MW Pharma Limited (trading as NUBU).
Industry monitoring was highlighted on Monday, July 20th, when Helius Therapeutics announced that NZ Grow Co. As he inaugurated Growers Day. The event demonstrated the full operational strength, advanced capabilities and integrated supply chain now fully operational under Ora Pharm’s leadership to support the growth of the NZ sector.
At the event, CEO Zoë Reece addressed concerns stemming from a July 9 industry bulletin distributed by NUBU, which stated that “Helius Therapeutics has ceased production and all products are now discontinued.”
© Ora Pharm
Ora Pharm said the statement was incorrect and had the potential to create unnecessary uncertainty in a highly regulated healthcare sector.
“Inaccurate information about the availability of medicines can cause unnecessary worry for patients, prescribers and pharmacies, interfere with treatment decisions and undermine confidence in the New Zealand cannabis industry.”
Ora Pharm completed the business and acquisition of key assets of Helius Therapeutics on June 18, 2026, resuming manufacturing, packaging and nationwide distribution the following day. All Helius brand formulated products and locally grown products remain approved and available for patient supply.
CEO Zoë Reece said the company’s focus is on ensuring continuity of care while strengthening New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis industry.
“The Helius facility gives New Zealand growers direct access to world-class pharmaceutical drying, extraction and manufacturing capabilities. Combined with NZ Grow Co., we are creating a secure and integrated pathway from cultivation to finished products and international markets. Our focus is on clinical continuity, quality assurance and confidence in patients and prescribing physicians every day.”
© Ora Pharm
The integration of the GMP-certified Auckland manufacturing facility with NZ Grow Co.’s cultivation network creates New Zealand’s largest medicinal cannabis supply chain. This unified network insulates domestic patients from volatile international import dependencies while providing independent local growers with a transparent, high-standard route to export markets.
Ora Pharm remains committed to working collaboratively across the sector to support patient access, strengthen confidence in the New Zealand cannabis industry and continue to invest in New Zealand’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity.
For more information:
Ora Pharm
(email protected)
www.orapharm.co.nz
Increasing public scrutiny has questioned whether the use of peat is environmentally sustainable. A new review According to Dr. James Altland, research director of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, and Dr. Bruce Bugbee of Utah State University, they present a more nuanced picture than much of the current evidence portrays.
“Much of the debate in the popular press suggests that the use of peat in horticulture is unsustainable because it causes global warming and other environmental impacts,” shares James. “We have seen that agriculture is much more sustainable than some parties in the media want us to believe.”
© USDA
Differences between regions matter
The review states that assessments of peatland sustainability should differentiate between regions. While European peatlands have been heavily impacted by centuries of drainage and peat extraction, most Canadian peatlands remain undisturbed, with only a small proportion used for horticulture. According to the authors, this distinction is important when assessing the environmental impact of peat production.
“Currently, Canadian peatlands are sequestering carbon faster than the rate of extraction from container crop production. At current rates of extraction and with appropriate restoration, peatland use in North America is environmentally sustainable.”
The authors note that horticultural peat extraction in Canada accounts for only a small fraction of the total peatland area and that harvested sites are routinely restored after production.
© USDA
Restoration supports long-term recovery
The paper highlights the role of restoration practices, particularly the Moss Layer Transfer Technique (MLTT), in restoring peat-forming ecosystems.
“Restoration techniques, such as the moss layer transfer technique, can turn harvested peatlands into carbon sinks over decades,” he added. The review found that restored peatlands can restore vegetation, biodiversity and carbon sequestration functions over time, while improvements in water storage and hydrological performance are also documented.
© USDA
Alternatives also have environmental impacts
The researchers also looked at published life cycle assessments comparing them to substrates such as peat, korea, wood fiber, perlite and rock wool. “Life cycle assessments show that alternative substrates often have environmental impacts comparable to or greater than peat, especially when considering water use, transport and fertilizer inputs.”
The review concludes that comparisons depend on system limitations and assumptions, and that broad claims that alternatives are inherently more sustainable than peat are not consistently supported by published analyses.
© USDA
Figure A: Global carbon storage in natural systems (Gt, gigatons)
(Hirschler and Osterburg, 2022; Cleary et al, 2005; IPCC, 2023)
Performance remains an important consideration
Beyond sustainability, the paper reviews the functional characteristics that have made peat the reference substrate for container production.
“Soil’s high cation exchange capacity, water retention and stability support optimal plant growth and nutrient uptake,” shares James. The authors point out that these properties contribute to efficient irrigation and fertilizer management, maintaining good root zone conditions.
Although wood fibers, coir, and other materials can reduce peat use in mixes, each introduces its own management considerations, such as nutrient immobilization, water use, or processing requirements.
© USDA
Figure B: Annual carbon flux from human activities and sequestration through natural processes (Gt CO2-eq per year)
(Hirschler and Osterburg, 2022; Cleary et al, 2005; IPCC, 2023)
Managing future demand
As the global demand for soilless growth media is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, the authors believe that a variety of substrate materials will be required.
“At current rates of extraction and with appropriate restoration, peat use in North America is environmentally sustainable and remains essential for horticulture and urban greening.”
For more information:
US Department of Agriculture
James Altland, Head of Research
Application Technologies Research Unit
(email protected)
www.usda.gov
420 Recap-Records & POTUS Tweet Support for Cannabis Justice & Dutchie Crashes, Again Weed Talk News
Racial Injustice, Protests & Lack of Leadership
Marijuana Retail Report
Ora Pharm affirms uninterrupted access to Helius products
Cannabis Is Being Rebuilt From The Ground Up
California Treasurer Announces Hearing On Marijuana Business Banking Access Issues
Lollapalooza Partners with Cannabis Brand to Bring THC Drinks to the Festival for the First Time
Weed Talk News Open voice over 420 National cannabis headlines: POTUS Tweet and Dutchie Crashs again
CANNABIS NURSE | JANNA CHAMPAGNE
Marijuana Retail Report
“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
Mazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
Florida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
Afghan Black Hash Wednesday
From Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
Weak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
Re-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;
DEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF
Texas DA Fires Up for Change! Mass. Sheriff arrested on Extortion charges; GOP vs Industry in state
Your Cannabis Business: Consistent Filings Are Critical
-
Cannabis News11 months ago“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
-
Video10 months agoMazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
-
Florida11 months agoFlorida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
-
Video10 months agoAfghan Black Hash Wednesday
-
Video11 months agoFrom Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
-
aawh11 months agoWeak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
-
Video11 months agoRe-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;
-
Video11 months agoDEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF