Two men in New York state have died of a rare fungal lung infection that they caught from bat poop — specifically, poop they were using or planned to use as fertilizer to grow cannabis. Both men, based in Rochester, shared a love of "Mary Jane" and cultivated their own cannabis plants for personal use. They each developed a condition called histoplasmosis after breathing in … [Read more...] about Bat poop used to grow cannabis kills 2 in New York in unusual cases
New York
High-Ranking Assembly Member Calls for Aid To Beleaguered State Cannabis Fund Borrowers
Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the majority leader of the state Assembly, advocated Tuesday to extend financial aid to struggling cannabis store operators who have been saddled with high-cost loans from a “social equity fund” created as a core part of New York’s marijuana legalization program. Speaking in Albany at the monthly Cannabis Control Board meeting, Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) … [Read more...] about High-Ranking Assembly Member Calls for Aid To Beleaguered State Cannabis Fund Borrowers
Cannabis ‘Cannibalization’ Among Concerns of NYS Pot Attorneys
New York's legal marijuana industry has closed in on $1 billion in combined sales since early 2023, with three-quarters of those sales generated during a "whirlwind" 2024, a state policy director said during Tuesday's Cannabis Control Board meeting. The market has thus far amassed nearly $919 million, with New York estimated to "comfortably" eclipse $1 billion when the final … [Read more...] about Cannabis ‘Cannibalization’ Among Concerns of NYS Pot Attorneys
New York’s Office of Cannabis Management celebrates milestones after major overhaul
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is sharing its year-end accomplishments after a major rework of the agency in 2024. At the final Cannabis Control Board meeting of 2024 the OCM announced that 261 retail dispensaries are now open in New York State. At the meeting, 68 new licenses were approved across the cannabis supply chain, with a total of 1,394 … [Read more...] about New York’s Office of Cannabis Management celebrates milestones after major overhaul
Cannabis trade group sues New York state for punishing medical operators
The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association filed a complaint this week against the New York Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management for what it deems is an unconstitutional $20 million fee for an adult-use license. The lawsuit is fighting for the Registered Organizations who were the first licensed cannabis operators in the state that initially … [Read more...] about Cannabis trade group sues New York state for punishing medical operators
Strain Stars, Beleaf marijuana dispensaries open in Riverhead
This holiday season, consumers in Riverhead can shop for a new product — legal cannabis — as the town’s first two dispensaries celebrate openings. Strain Stars, on Route 58 in Riverhead, and Beleaf, on Middle Country Road in Calverton, will each host grand openings Saturday, Dec. 7, store officials said. Both are second locations for the stores, which have sites in Farmingdale … [Read more...] about Strain Stars, Beleaf marijuana dispensaries open in Riverhead
Cannabis Workforce Initiative offers guidance, tools and more to promote social justice in NYS cannabis industry
As New York State’s cannabis industry continues its growth, guidance for job seekers, prospective and current licensees looking to break into this budding field is more important than ever. The Cannabis Workforce Initiative (CWI), a state-funded effort that relies on the expertise of the nonprofit Workforce Development Institute and Cornell University’s School of Industrial … [Read more...] about Cannabis Workforce Initiative offers guidance, tools and more to promote social justice in NYS cannabis industry
Medical marijuana group sues N.Y. over ‘punitive’ $20M retail license fee
ALBANY — The beleaguered rollout of New York’s legalized marijuana trade is facing another potential setback after the state’s Medical Cannabis Industry Association filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the constitutionality of what they allege is a punitive $20 million fee that’s required for medical cannabis operators to enter the retail marketplace. The lawsuit contends that … [Read more...] about Medical marijuana group sues N.Y. over ‘punitive’ $20M retail license fee
Two former businesses set to be the locations of new cannabis dispensaries in Binghamton
Binghamton (WBNG) -- The City of Binghamton may see two new cannabis retail locations on the east and west sides. The former A&W restaurant on Court Street is set to become ‘Cotton Mouth Dispensary’ pending the approval of its cannabis retail license by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. The other location is at 242 Main Street in Binghamton, which was … [Read more...] about Two former businesses set to be the locations of new cannabis dispensaries in Binghamton
New York hemp retailers caught in crossfire of enforcement loophole
Several state-licensed hemp retailers say police improperly seized thousands of dollars of legal cannabis products from their shelves or padlocked their stores this summer in raids intended to crack down on illicit marijuana sales. The state Supreme Court is expected to make a decision in their civil suit against the state Office of Cannabis Management by the end of the year. … [Read more...] about New York hemp retailers caught in crossfire of enforcement loophole
