Governor Hochul Marks Five Years of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act as New York Advances an Equity-Driven Cannabis Market with $3.3 Billion in Sales and More Than 600 Dispensaries

New York’s Cannabis Industry Fuels Growth for Small Businesses While Expanding Opportunities for Social and Economic Equity Entrepreneurs

57 Percent of Licenses Issued to Women-Owned Businesses and 51 Percent to Minority-Owned Businesses, Advancing Equity Across the Cannabis Industry

Pure Blossoms on Manhattan’s Upper West Side Recognized as New York’s 600th Licensed Cannabis Dispensary

Governor Kathy Hochul today marked the upcoming five year anniversary of the passage of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which legalized adult-use cannabis, established the Office of Cannabis Management, and laid the foundation for a regulated, equity-driven cannabis industry in New York. Since the launch of adult-use sales, New York’s cannabis market has generated $3.3 billion in total retail sales and expanded to more than 600 licensed dispensaries statewide, with Pure Blossom on Manhattan’s Upper West Side recognized as the State’s 600th licensed retail location.

“Five years ago, New York committed to building a cannabis market rooted in equity, safety, and opportunity and today, that commitment is delivering real results,” Governor Hochul said. “We are creating new pathways for small businesses while aggressively shutting down illicit shops that threaten public safety and undermine our legal market. Our focus is clear: protect consumers, support legal businesses, and ensure this industry grows the right way.”

Strong Market Growth and Consumer Participation

New York’s adult-use cannabis market continues to expand, with strong participation from both businesses and consumers:

• $3.3 billion in total retail sales generated since market launch
• 2,161 adult-use cannabis licenses issued statewide
• 610 licensed retail dispensaries now operating across New York

Advancing Social and Economic Equity

New York continues to lead the nation in building an equitable cannabis industry:

• 56 percent of adult-use cannabis licenses across the supply chain have been awarded to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants, exceeding the State’s statutory goal
• 57 percent of SEE licenses have been issued to women-owned businesses, and 51 percent to minority-owned businesses
• 342 Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees have been approved statewide
• 86 percent of CAURD dispensaries are currently open and operating across New York

As part of her 2026 State of the State, Governor Hochul announced a $17 million investment to expand Social and Economic Equity initiatives and programming, further strengthening support for entrepreneurs from Communities Disproportionately Impacted by past cannabis enforcement.

Delivering on Justice and Reform

The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act continues to advance meaningful criminal justice reform:

• More than 400,000 marijuana-related convictions are eligible for expungement
• More than 200,000 convictions have been sealed, with an additional 107,000 suppressed pending sealing
• No individual in New York State remains incarcerated solely for a marijuana-related offense
• $10 million in total reinvestment through the Community Grant Reinvestment Fund — $5 million already awarded and an additional $5 million now available, supporting youth development, workforce training, housing stability, and public health initiatives in communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition

Strengthening Enforcement and Public Safety

New York has taken significant steps to protect consumers and address illicit activity:

• 2,017 enforcement actions completed statewide in 2025, resulting in more than $20 million in illicit cannabis seized
• 579 illicit cannabis storefronts shut down statewide
• 1,481 enforcement inspections conducted statewide to date
• 1,094 Notices of Violation issued to date
• 581 padlocked locations statewide to date