NEW YORK — In the midst of a top-to-bottom review of New York state’s troubled cannabis program , Gov. Kathy Hochul announces the awarding of over 100 new licenses.
There was applause Friday during a meeting of the state Cannabis Control Board after it decided to approve the licenses of over 100 new retail stores , more than doubling the number of stores than can sell marijuana products in New York.
The board granted 114 licenses, bringing the number of adult-use licenses to 223.
“It’s not all rosy. This is difficult work. We are committed to continuous improvement and expansion of the cannabis industry in New York state,” said Tremaine Wright, chair of the Cannabis Control Board.
The board has been criticized for dragging its feet in allowing people to open legal pot shops while some 2,000 illegal shops have sprung up all over the state, especially in New York City .
Mike Geraci , who has the only cannabis processing plant in the city , told CBS New York political reporter Marcia Kramer on “The Point” that the state has been slow in approving new stores, which has let the illegal stores flourish.