BRONX, N.Y. — New York’s legal cannabis rollout just gained new momentum
At its October meeting, the state’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) declared local cannabis bans in Southampton and Riverhead “unreasonably impracticable,” effectively preempting town-level ordinances that barred licensed shops.
The decision asserts the state’s authority to override local rules that undercut New York’s equity-driven cannabis law .
Nearly 500 dispensaries are now open across New York.Record Licensing and Sales Growth
The Board approved 33 new adult-use licenses, 65 percent of which went to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants — including cultivators, processors, microbusinesses, and retailers.
That brings the statewide total to 1,950 licenses, with roughly 56 percent now held by SEE licensees.
Monthly sales continue to hit record highs; year-to-date legal sales for 2025 have reached $1.26 billion, and nearly 500 dispensaries are now open across New York.
Jessica García, Chair of the CCB, said the approvals “reinforce the promise of a fair and thriving cannabis industry for all New Yorkers. Every license represents new opportunity, community investment, and a stronger regulated market built on equity and trust.”
Year-to-date legal sales for 2025 have reached $1.26 billion.CAURD Grant Program Update
OCM’s Social and Economic Equity team also announced progress on the CAURD Grant Program, which has now awarded funding to 159 licensees across all 10 Empire State Development regions.
Each recipient can receive up to $30,000 from a $5 million fund to cover rent, security equipment, inventory software, and store build-outs.
The grants aim to give justice-involved entrepreneurs the cash-flow relief needed to stay open amid a competitive market.
Looking Ahead
The Board also previewed the 2nd Annual NYS Medical Cannabis Symposium: Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice, set for November 6–7 at the Long Island Marriott in partnership with Northwell Health.
The conference will feature clinicians, researchers, and policy leaders and offers continuing education credits for health professionals.
As New York’s legal market matures, October’s meeting underscored the state’s message to local governments and operators alike: equity and access are non-negotiable pillars of the Empire State’s cannabis future.
