COLONIE, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) – The Office of Cannabis Management celebrated the 50th dispensary to open on Tuesday, despite legal challenges to the state’s licensing process. Officials from OCM attended the grand opening of Brownies and said the office was excited to be there for the milestone during Black History Month.
Brownies is the 14th majority Black-owned dispensary to open in the state. OCM officials said in the last two months they’ve seen dispensary openings double, adding they want to keep that trajectory. Kelly Hilland is a veteran, who served in the military for over 30 years, and opened Brownies with her son.
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“To be able to pass down to my kids the opportunity, it’s a once in a lifetime thing. Everybody doesn’t have the opportunity to be able to pass down generational wealth to your kids, your grandkids and their kids,” said Hilland.
Licensing was rolled out slowly and carefully to give priority to those who have historically been disproportionately impacted by marijuana laws. That includes minorities, women, and disabled veterans.