New York Reserving Cannabis Retail Permits for Ex-Cons

Credit: Zenkyphoto, iStock

About six months after New York passed a law legalizing recreational marijuana, the state says it will reserve the first 100 to 200 cannabis retail licenses for those with prior marijuana-related convictions, Reuters reports.

The policy is intended to give people who were punished during prohibition the first chance at benefiting from legalization, the article says. If these “social equity” applicants or their family members can show they have experience running a business, they will be granted licenses that allow them to sell cannabis products from New York farmers. State officials believe the first licenses will be issued by the fall.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has also asked the state legislature for $200 million that will go toward renovating storefronts that can be operated as cannabis dispensaries, the article adds.

Marijuana is now legalized for recreational use in 18 states.

Read more at Reuters.

VMSD Staff

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