June 4 - 5, 2025
Javits Convention Center

Our Industry’s Biggest Holiday, Legalization, Enforcement Authority and MORE

Our Industry’s Biggest Holiday, Legalization, Enforcement Authority, Spring is Here, Opportunity…Bring It All On!

“Unlicensed dispensaries have littered New York neighborhoods, blatantly circumventing our laws and selling potentially dangerous products. Enough is enough. I promised to protect our communities and hard-working, legal cannabis licensees by expediting the closure of illicit storefronts. I’m proud to stand up and say we got it done.”

 

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

 

NYS Gov Hochul and NYC Mayor Adams
NY Governor Hochul (right) unveils new initiatives to shut down illicit cannabis operations and protect the legal marketplace. NYC Mayor Adams is on the left.

New York State (NYS) Governor Kathy Hochul and the NYS Legislature vowed to support and fund the closures of the illicit cannabis smoke shops across NYS and New York City (NYC) – and they have included funding in the 2025 NYS budget to do it. The approved budget that was passed this April vows to shut down illegal cannabis operations. An immediate action of this approved budget is that NYC Mayor Eric Adams is getting the immediate authority to use New York City’s enforcement powers to inspect, issue violations, and seize cannabis and padlock stores.

 

“New Yorkers are fed up with illegal smoke shops and their unlawful business practices, but our administration worked hard to make our voices heard in Albany, and working with Governor Hochul and our state partners, we are proud to say we got it done. New York City will finally be able to use the full force of the law to inspect, enforce, and shut down illegal dispensaries. These measures, combined with our already robust enforcement efforts, will help keep the playing field level and push back against the quality-of-life issues that have resulted from the proliferation of illegal smoke shops. We will continue to work with our partners in Albany to give aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those who have been justice-involved, a chance to succeed.”

NYC Mayor Eric Adams
4/20 Love Story

This April’s 4/20 had numerous events all over. We share one New York 4/20 love story that celebrates the union of two people who wed on 4/20/24 while highlighting the cannabis plant.

On 4/20, the wedding of Evan Ross Katz, writer and podcaster, and Billy Jacobson, an engineer, took place in Chelsea in New York City. Congratulations!

The New York Times
Love

Dispensary Openings

April saw many dispensary openings across NYC and NYS. Congratulations to the family-owned dispensary “Big Gas” which is the 100th adult-use in-store sales cannabis dispensary to open in New York. They are located in New Paltz.

Below are some of the many openings in April.

Evergreen Retail
FINGER LAKES | 51 N. Main Street, Brockport 14420
Website: www.evergreennyretail.com     

Platinum Leaf
ROCK HILL | 196 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill 12275
Website: www.theplatinumleaf.com   

Late Bloomers NYC
RIDGEWOOD | 57-01 Myrtle Avenue, Ridgewood 11385
Website: www.latebloomers-nyc.com

 

Flower Power Dispensers
NEW YORK CITY | 22 West 66th Street, New York 10023
Website: www.flowerpowerdispensers.com    

 

Devil’s Lettuce
WEST SENECA | 650 Orchard Park Road, West Seneca 14224
Website: www.devilslettuce.net


Planet Nugg
FARMINGDALE | 2043 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale 11735

Website: www.planetnugg.com   


East Leaf Dispensary

CHEEKTOWAGA | 2442 Clinton Street,
Cheektowaga 14224


Loudpack Exotics
SYRACUSE | 6606 Kinne Road, Syracuse 13214
Website: www.loudpackexotics.com

Mary Janes – A Legacy 2 Legal Dispensary
BUFFALO | 440 Normal Avenue, Buffalo 14213

Leafology Cannabis Company
WHITE PLAINS | 244 Main Street, White Plains 10601
Website: www.leafologycannabiscompany.com

Misha’s Flower Shop
BROOKLYN | 299 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn 11237
Website: www.mishasflowershop.com

Canna Life NY Inc (dba Hii)
BROOKLYN | 152 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn 11249
Website: www.hiinyc.com

Purple Plains
POUND RIDGE | 32 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge 10576
Website: www.purpleplains.com

Big Gas Dispensary (the 100th Adult Use Dispensary to Open in New York)
NEW PALTZ | 98 N Chestnut Street, New Paltz 12561
Website: www.biggasdispensary.com


CONBUD (Canna Summit)

BRONX | 2412 Third Avenue, Bronx 10454
Website: www.conbudbx.com


Blue Forest Farms Dispensary

NEW YORK CITY | 122 E 25th Street, New York 10010
Website: coming soon

The Weed Shoppe
STATEN ISLAND | 4906 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island 10309

Elevate Soho Cannabis
NEW YORK CITY | 481 Broadway, New York 10013
Website: www.elevatesohocannabis.com

NYC Licensing News

This month, the NYS Office of Cannabis Management (NYSOCM) was given the authority by the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) to issue 101 new provisional adult-use licenses to applicants across several segments of the supply chain including: retailers, microbusinesses, cultivators, processors and distributors. The measure was granted during an April 11 meeting of the CCB. This new authority allows the NYSOCM to grant  provisional licenses faster but ultimately, the CCB will still have to approve the final license.

The latest news from the NYSOCM for April includes the stats below since March 2021 when the NYS Marijuana Retail and Taxation Act (MRTA) passed:

  • Total Legal Revenue Sales have reached an impressive $263MM
  • 403 Adult-use Licenses have been awarded
  • Approximately 7,000 jobs across NYS have been created
  • Plus many more
NYS OCM Office of Cannabis Management
New Jersey News

New Jersey Celebrates Cannabis Milestones

This April 2024 marks a 3-year milestone for the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, while celebrating a 2-year milestone for recreational cannabis sales. As part of their impressive achievements, in 2023 the NJCRC reached over $800MM in cannabis sales and expects to reach $1B in 2024.

For more information on the accomplishments that the CRC and the New Jersey cannabis industry have made regarding licensing, social equity, dispensary openings, ancillary services, their medical cannabis program, and plans for consumption lounges, click here.
 

 

NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Celebrating three years of growth and equity in New Jersey cannabis
Nationwide News

Federal Regulatory News: Descheduling vs. Rescheduling

The buzz about descheduling and rescheduling of cannabis continues and will continue until the DEA makes a decision. Among the latest developments around descheduling is the formation of a legislative group who are pushing to have marijuana removed from Schedule 1. The group sent a letter requesting the descheduling to Attorney General Merrick Garland and to Anne Milgram of the DEA.

The group of signers of this letter includes:

  • Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
  • Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania
  • Representative Barbara Lee of California
  • Senator Chuck Schumer of New York
  • Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont
  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
  • Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
  • Representative Earl Blumenauer of Oregon
  • …and others

Cannabis Industry Stats

The editors of CWCBExpo want to share an industry statistics this post from Lookah.com. Lookah has gathered extensive stats about cannabis and where it is headed in 2024. It’s very interesting.

Lookah
Featured Interview:  Dawne Morris

Dawne Morris – CEO, Co-Founder, PROTEUS Business Solution, PROTEUS420

This month, we feature a brief interview with Dawne Morris, Co-Founder and CEO of Proteus420, an online enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for the cannabis industry. Dawne is a nationally-recognized cannabis entrepreneur who has been named a Top Women to Watch in Marijuana Venture magazine.

An entrepreneur, a technologist and an advocate, Dawne is a champion of our industry, of women and of the cannabis community. We share our conversation below.

CWCBExpo – Did you ever doubt yourself and how did you overcome that self-doubt?

Dawne – Being a woman in the predominantly male sectors of cannabis and technology has presented numerous moments where self-doubt could have crept in. However, I make it a point not to entertain those doubts. As a professional at the helm of a business, my focus is on running my company efficiently; I don’t have the luxury of time to prove myself to others. Whenever I face uncertainty, I rely on my expertise and knowledge, reminding myself of the path I took to get here. My primary aim is to stay focused and achieve my goals—recognition from others, while appreciated, is secondary.

Dawne Morris
Proteus420

“I don’t have the luxury of time to prove myself to others. Whenever I face uncertainty, I rely on my expertise and knowledge, reminding myself of the path I took to get here.”

CWCBExpo – Who was your role model growing up and what impressed you most about that person?

Dawne – My greatest influence has undoubtedly been my father, a skilled cannabis grower who deeply educated me about the plant’s healing potentials. Growing up as a proponent of cannabis, we were cautious to keep our discussions within the home due to potential backlash. Unfortunately, my father passed away six years ago, and expanding our business into the cannabis sector has been a way to honor his legacy. It’s not just about business growth; it’s about continuing his advocacy and educational efforts in a field where I truly thrive. As the world became more accepting of cannabis, my husband and I recognized the opportunity to integrate this personal mission into our professional endeavors.

CWCBExpo – Who is your best friend – OK – who are your “2 besties”?

Dawne – My husband David is undoubtedly my best friend. We’ve experienced so much together, and each morning I wake up eager to face new challenges and adventures alongside him. Additionally, I consider my granddaughters as my other best friends—so technically, I have three best friends. They inspire me daily to be a better person, someone they can admire and learn from. Watching them grow has been one of the greatest lessons of my life, and I cherish every moment with my three best friends!

CWCBExpo – You have been a champion of women, tech, and cannabis as you worked your way up, and you are a true believer in community. What advice do you have for women entrepreneurs in our industry?

“This journey isn’t always easy, but it is rewarding, especially when we lift each other up and champion each other’s successes.”

Dawne – I’ve always been passionate about supporting women in tech and cannabis, industries where we are still underrepresented. My advice to women entrepreneurs in our industry is encapsulated beautifully by Maya Angelou, who said, “Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” This underscores the importance of courage in our endeavors. It’s crucial to stay true to yourself and remember that you are here for a reason. Your unique insights and contributions are incredibly valuable.

I encourage women to actively connect with and uplift other women in the space. Building a supportive community is not just about networking—it’s about creating a space where we can all thrive. Never let your identity be a barrier. Instead, let it be your strength and your guide as you navigate your path. Remember, by supporting one another, we create a stronger, more inclusive industry. This journey isn’t always easy, but it is rewarding, especially when we lift each other up and champion each other’s successes.

THIS MONTH’S ARCHIVED VIDEO

Compliance Issues for Cannabis Business Owners: Taxation, Liability and the ERTC Program

In this session, the panelists discussed the financial issues surrounding managing a cannabis business without federal legalization and with no ability to use a bank; 280E was discussed along with insurance issues, liability and the ERTC Credit program.

Moderated by Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch; with Sandy Suchoff, Founder, CEO CannaCPAs; Jeff Booker, Founder, COO CannaCoverage; and Tom Sauvageau, Founder, CEO ERTCFiling.

Compliance and Taxation seminar session, CWCBExpo NY, June 2024

(pictured from the left) Jeff Booker, Sandy Suchoff, Tom Sauvageau and and Steve Gels

The CWCBExpo BLOG: Timely News & In Depth Articles

CWCBExpo blogs contain relevant, timely information. Recent subjects include cannabis testing laboratories, packaging, facility security, and legalization and regulatory updates.

A grower holds a cannabis plant in their hands. This could be a home grower, like the advocates pushing for New Jersey legislators to allow home cultivation in the Garden State.
Meet This Exhibitor:

Wilson Safe Company
Booth #335

Wilson Safe Company
A Leader in Cannabis Security
DEA High-Security Safe

Protect your cannabis inventory and cash with our high-security TL-30 safes, a versatile solution designed to meet your unique storage needs. Engineered to withstand 30 minutes of assault from a burglar’s arsenal, including hammers, chisels, grinding wheels, and carbide-tipped drills, these safes provide a robust defense. Moreover, boasting a 1.5-hour fire rating at 1,200 degrees, they ensure the integrity of your valuables even in the face of intense heat. Available in various sizes and configurations, each model offers versatility with options such as lockers, additional shelves, and drawers. Equipped with Group 1R locks mandated for DEA safes, heavy-duty hinges, and robust bolt work, our high-security TL-30 safes stand as an excellent safeguard for your assets.

Wilson Safe Company

Get Your Exhibit Space Today.

CWCBExpo, 11th Annual
June 5 – 6, 2024
Javits Convention Center, NYC
Vice President Kamala Harris Making Statement

NY Mayor Eric Adams Fights For Legal Cannabis Industry

Mayor Adams Fights For Legal Cannabis Industry

Celebrates Opening Of First Black Woman-Owned Legal Dispensary in Brooklyn
Recommits To Closing Down Illegal Smoke Shops

Congratulations to Leeann Mata who is the proud Founder and owner of Matawana, the first Black woman-owned dispensary in Brooklyn, New York. The opening was attended by NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Dasheeda Dawson, Founding Director of Cannabis NYC and other officials and New York State Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar. The Mayor took the opportunity to assert that he is committed to cracking down on illegal shops.

Click here to view the momentous event and joyful opening, and learn more about the Mayor’s commitment to shutting down illicit shops.

Matawana Dispensary opening, March 2024
Matawana Dispensary opening, March 2024, (from the left), Dasheeda Dawson, Leeann Mata, Eric Adams, and Jenifer Rajkumar
New York State News

More on Crackdowns Across NYS From Governor Hochul

“…these Illicit vendors flagrantly violate our laws by selling to kids, evading our taxes, and engaging in fraudulent advertising about their products…”
– NYS Governor, Kathy Hochul

We have been reporting in several of our CWCBExpo Newsletters that Goveror Hochul is also committed to shutting down illegal shops. Her approach seems to be garnering support from legal dispensary owners who welcome her plan. Learn more from this WKBWTV news report where NYS dispensary owners praise the Governor and are hopeful that the actions will offer growth for their legal dispensaries and present opportunity to put NYS on track to have a thriving cannabis industry.

Seal of Governor Kathy Hochul

Dispensary Openings

March saw many dispensary openings across New York City and State. Below are some of the many recent openings.

TreeHead Culture
ERIE | 665 North French Road, Amherst 14228
Website: www.treeheadculture.com   

The Travel Agency Downtown Brooklyn
FLATBUSH | 122 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn 11217
Website: www.thetravelagency.co 

Matawana Dispensary
PARK SLOPE | 533 5th Avenue, Brooklyn 11215
Website: www.matawanany.com

The Bakery Cannabis Dispensary
ALBANY| 1099 Loudon Road, Cohoes 12047
Website: www.518bakery.com

Raven’s Joint
ONONDAGA | 4106 NY-31 Suite 903, Clay 13041
Website: www.ravensjoint.com    

Bronx Joint
BRONX | 925 Hunts Point Avenue, Bronx 10459
Website: www.thebronxjoint.com

Polanco Brothers
MANHATTAN | 12 East 42nd Street, New York 10017
Website: www.dutchie.com/dispensary/polanco-brothers-corp 

Liberty Buds
MANHATTAN | 1115 1st Avenue, New York 10065
Website: (website coming soon)

 

The Cannabis Place
QUEENS | 74-03 Metropolitan Avenue, Queens 11379
Website: www.thecannabisplace.org

Leafy Peaks
WATERFORD | 27 B Saratoga Avenue, Waterford 12188
Website: www.leafypeaks.com

Bliss + Lex
MANHATTAN | 128 E 86th Street, New York 10028
Website: www.blissandlex.com

Mr Good Vybz
ALBANY | 25 N Pearl Street, Albany 12207
Website: www.mrgoodvybz.com

Black Canna Market Co LLC
POUGHKEEPSIE | 89 Main Street, Poughkeepsie 12601
Website: (website coming soon)

Licensing News

On March 11 the Office of cannabis Management issued the Adult-Use December Queues on the OCM website. There were five queues made from a random sequence process for each type of license for applications submitted within the application window that ended December 18, 2023. The queues represent a review order for the OCM itself and do not represent the order in which licenses will be issued. Furthermore, inclusion in a queue does not guarantee getting a license. The five queues were audited by a third party. There are queues for:

  • Cultivator
  • Processor
  • Distributor
  • Retail Dispensary
  • Microbusiness Applicants
NYS OCM Office of Cannabis Management

Also noteworthy in March, the OCM issued a listing of what they call a Proximity Protected Locations Map (PPLM). The intention with this is to provide transparency on locations of licensed cannabis dispensaries, as well as those proposed locations on applications that are still under review. Proposed locations have what is called proximity protection since the OCM reviewed the locations and have deemed them compliant regarding distancing and proximity requirements until the final determination on a application is made. The PPLM is meant to be a helpful aid to identify potential locations for a cannabis dispensary.

There are many more things to know about these five Adult-Use queues that the OCM posted.
You can learn more here.

New Jersey News

“These are early signs of the potential of this market. Sales have grown steadily since Governor Murphy began the work to reform New Jersey’s cannabis market.  If we consider medicinal cannabis sales from 2018 to 2021 – before recreational sales began – cannabis sales totals exceed $2 billion over the six-year span.”

– Jeff Brown, Executive Director at the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission

NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission

In our February Newsletter, we highlighted the positive reports that the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission gave about the number of opened dispensaries and the revenue to date for medical and recreational sales. The news just keeps getting better.

The combined revenue for medical cannabis sales and recreational sales since recreational went into effect April 2022 is already over $1.3B to date. The expectation is that in 2024, medical and recreational sales could see over $1B in combined sales.

New Jersey Consumption Lounges

We reported previously in recent Newsletters that New Jersey consumption lounges are coming soon.

 

Consumption Lounge, men smoking and relaxing
Virginia News

Governor Glenn Youngkin Does Not Want to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis

The suspense is over. Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the piece of legislation that was passed in late February by both the Virginia state General Assembly and the state Senate to launch a Virginia Adult-Use cannabis industry. The Adult-Use Cannabis Sales bill would have taken effect in May 2025 and sought to build a legalized commercial adult-use market in Virginia. Youngkin made some strong statements about the legislation that he vetoed.

In addition, Youngkin’s veto power did not stop at just one cannabis bill. He also vetoed a bill that would have allowed individuals who were incarcerated for certain marijuana offenses to receive automatic re-sentencing hearings and have their punishments adjusted. No dice.

Lastly, it seems that Youngkin’s views are simply not in step with the majority of Virginians and their views on cannabis and legalization as suggested by a poll released earlier this month by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College.

Cardinal News
Hawaii News

Expungement Bills

Hawaii has advanced several cannabis legislation bills that seek to expunge tens of thousands of cannabis convictions. The proposals spelled out some legislation to create an adult-use market in Hawaii.

Federal News

Descheduling vs. Rescheduling

The industry has been abuzz for weeks with the prospect of rescheduling and with even louder calls for descheduling. Several important things that deserve highlighting include:

  • President Biden’s comments made during his State of the Union Address in February where he asserted his support for cannabis reform.

     

  • Vice President Kamala Harris’s meeting this month in March, where she met with several industry influencers, stakeholders, and some who received pardons for cannabis offenses. Included in the notable attendees were hip hop artist and rapper Fat Joe, and Chris Goldstein, Regional Coordinator for NORML. Harris made comments that were bold and welcomed by those in the room and gives a positive prospect for real action by the Federal Government.

“…we need to legalize marijuana…”

– Vice President Kamala Harris, at her roundtable meeting on March 15th at the Whitehouse.

Vice President Kamala Harris Making Statement
Reality TV

Read Upcoming 420 High Hopes Series From Hulu

Hulu is debuting an unscripted reality series about a dispensary, based in Hollywood, CA. The series is called High Hopes and is produced by Jimmy Kimmel’s production company.

GreenState
CWCBExpo’s Advisory Counsel

Welcome CWCBExpo Advisory Council

Please join the CWCBExpo team in welcoming, honoring and thanking our Advisory Council Members. Each one is accomplished in the industry and has made an impact to so many, and they continue to do so. We appreciate their advisement and we look forward to working with each of them at all of our upcoming CWCBExpo events.

CWCBExpo Advisory Council

THIS MONTH’S ARCHIVED VIDEO

“Financial Challenges in a Federally Illegal Industry”

In this session, the panelists discuss the banking and financing challenges facing the industry, and give their advice on how retailers and brands can survive and advance to the next level.

Moderated by Steve Gelsi, MarketWatch; Michael Harlow, Partner, CohnReznick; Neil Kaufman, Partner, Managing Member, Kaufman McGowan PLCC; David Feldman, Co-founder, CEO, Skip Intro Advisors; Ryan Himmel, VP, Head of Strategic Partnerships, LeafLink

Financial Challenges in a Federally Illegal Industry, Seminar Session, CWCBExpo, June 2024

(pictured from the left) Neil Kaufman, Ryan Himmel, Michael Harlow, David Feldman and Steve Gelsi.

The CWCBExpo BLOG: Timely News & In Depth Articles

CWCBExpo blogs contain relevant, timely information. Recent subjects include cannabis lounges, NY licensing review and tech tools shaping the industry.

Cannabis Retail Shop
Meet This Media Partner: Leafwire

“We built Leafwire to provide a safe, welcoming platform for the cannabis business community. We saw a need in the industry to provide a platform where the cannabis industry could share news, promote events, find business partners, find employees, look for investors and just simply network. We’re 100% devoted to the cannabis and hemp industries.

“The Cannabis industry is unique in that we are currently an industry of start ups. Due to federal regulations and other issues, larger corporations are largely kept on the sidelines until we clear those hurdles. This creates an opportunity that we have not seen for decades within the business landscape. The path forward for this industry is through the start up community, leveling the field for new entrants. As a result, we have a chance to build something from the ground up that is designed to not only help people, but the environment and the world.”

Get Your Exhibit Space Today.

CWCBExpo, 11th Annual

June 5 – 6, 2024
Javits Convention Center, NYC

Licensing Review in NY, Legal Battles in Hemp, and More

Each month, Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) offers a convenient roundup of the biggest cannabis news stories and hemp headlines emerging across the Northeast. Get these updates in your inbox by subscribing to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) to get the most recent edition when it’s published.

March held some big headlines for the Northeast’s cannabis industry, including Pennsylvania lawmakers reigniting legalization discussions and New Jersey’s milestone achievement of surpassing 100 operational cannabis dispensaries. Here are the details you need to know about some of the latest advancements shaping the landscape across the East Coast. 

Hochul orders ‘top-down’ review of New York cannabis licensing process

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) has officially ordered a comprehensive “top-down” review of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) licensing process. Hochul announced the review while recognizing the shortcomings and challenges the existing framework posed following cannabis legalization. The governor enlisted the expertise of Jeanette Moy, the commissioner for the Office of General Services, to overhaul the process and streamline operations. 

According to a press release from the governor’s office, the internal audit will last at least 30 days and include:

  • Top-down review of organizational structure, processes, and systems with a focus on improving OCM license processing times and application-to-opening timeframes for new cannabis retailers and businesses.

  • Development of key performance metrics and an executive-level licensing dashboard to provide the Executive Chamber with a timely, accurate, and comprehensive picture of licensing activity for legal retailers.

  • Identification and implementation of changes to policy, procedure, and regulation (within the bounds of the MRTA) to streamline the licensing process and simplify application and review for prospective licensees.

  • Development of three-month and six-month action plans with organizational change initiatives, milestones, and actions to continue improving agency functions while developing a world-class licensing and regulatory agency for the state’s cannabis industry.

After the 30-day assessment, Moy and her team will consider a prolonged examination of the OCM and its practices.

New York hemp companies sue to overturn new state rules

The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) passed stringent regulations in November 2023, which imposed a mandatory 15-to-1 ratio of CBD to THC in hemp-based products and limited potency to  mg THC per serving or 5mg THC per package.

These rules made an estimated 75% of already available hemp goods suddenly illegal and sparked outrage among state-licensed companies. On March 1, a lawsuit was filed in federal court as a result. 

The lawsuit, brought by 10 hemp companies, alleges the enforcement of these regulations, coupled with aggressive raids targeting the illicit market, has caused significant financial losses for hemp businesses and infringed upon their constitutional rights. According to the lawsuit, the change “drastically limits the products available for market” and will push New York consumers “into the illicit market and underground market.” 

“We will not standby and allow the State to violate Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights, engage in warrantless searches and seizures, and maliciously disrupt their businesses in a misguided effort to shut down unlicensed cannabis stores, which have nothing to do with hemp businesses operating in full compliance with both state and federal law,” Joshua Bauchner, chair of the Cannabis, Hemp and Psychedelics Practice Group at New Jersey-based law firm Mandelbaum Barrett said.

New Jersey surpasses 100 cannabis stores, sales top $2 billion in last six years

New Jersey has achieved a notable milestone in its cannabis industry, officially surpassing 100 cannabis stores. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission’s (NJCRC) website confirms the presence of 102 medical and adult-use retail locations statewide. In addition, the group shared that the state’s total cannabis sales over the last six years have exceeded $2 billion. 

“These are early signs of the potential of this market. Sales have grown steadily since Governor Murphy began the work to reform New Jersey’s cannabis market,” said NJCRC Executive Director Jeff Brown in a statement.

Pennsylvania joint committee takes up cannabis legalization as governor renews push for reform

Pennsylvania lawmakers are once again pushing for cannabis legalization, with a recent focus on Prohibition’s criminal justice implications and the potential benefits of reform. Members of the Subcommittee on Health Care and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Correction convened for a hearing explicitly addressing these issues. 

During the hearing, Representative Dan Frankel, chair of the Health Committee and a previous sponsor of cannabis legalization legislation, expressed confidence in the state’s readiness to advance cannabis reform. “I think we are really well-positioned to move forward with legislation,” said Frankel. 

Rep. Rick Krajewski (D) stressed criminal justice and record expungement as one area lawmakers “really need to get right, and get right on the first time, given what we know about the criminalization of cannabis and the ways it has impacted Black and brown communities, working class communities and the ways in which that record still carries a burden.”

Responsible PA has also formed a coalition focused on calling for the legalization of adult-use cannabis, saying they intend to inform lawmakers as they continue to explore the issue. The coalition brings together patient advocates, doctors, scientists, researchers, laboratories, economic development groups, members of law enforcement, local elected officials, labor, and civil and social equity community organizations from across the state. 

“Pennsylvania has the opportunity to build from the success of its medical cannabis program while ensuring full market access for regulated products,” said Warren County District Attorney Rob Greene (R). “Just as we do with medical cannabis, we can properly regulate adult-use marijuana with stringent health and safety standards backed by regulatory oversight.”

Exploring East Coast cannabis with CWCBExpo 

From legislative debates to market milestones, the East Coast is shaping the future of cannabis. The upcoming CWCBExpo on June 5 and 6 at the Javits Convention Center in New York City promises to be a key event for professionals like yourself, offering networking opportunities and insights. Let’s stay informed, engaged, and proactive in driving positive change and innovation within the industry. 

Lounges Are Coming To NJ, and More

Each month, Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo) offers a convenient roundup of the biggest cannabis news stories and hemp headlines emerging across the nation. Get these updates in your inbox by subscribing to our email newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter (now X) to get the most recent edition when it’s published.

The Northeast cannabis industry is starting the year on the right foot. Here, we’ll take a look at New York, where the cannabis market has surpassed $150 million in total sales and regulators are mulling home grow policy reform and a repeal of the potency tax. And we’ll check in with New Jersey, where cannabis lounges could soon become a reality. Amid such rapid growth and evolution, the need for reliable sources of information is paramount. Join us on a journey through the latest milestones, regulatory shifts, and groundbreaking proposals as we explore the ever-evolving world of cannabis. 

New York cannabis market tops $150M during first year of operations

The New York cannabis market has surged beyond expectations, reaching $150 million in sales during its inaugural year. A report by the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) noted that while just 40 adult-use cannabis dispensaries have opened for business across the state, there were more than 6,900 cannabis industry applications received in 2023, including:

  • 538 cannabis processor applications,
  • 372 cultivation license applications,
  • 351 distributor license applications,
  • 1,349 microbusiness license applications, and
  • 4,324 retail dispensary applications.
  • Of the 6,934 total applications, 3,826 — about 55% — were equity applications, regulators said.

“New York Cannabis has momentum heading into 2024 and we’ll keep working to make this market grow. We have a lot of work to do, and we have much to be proud of; now that the core market architecture is in place, my team at OCM is ready to scale and help this industry thrive across New York State,” OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander said in a statement. 

New York governor proposes repealing cannabis potency tax 

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is calling for the elimination of the THC potency tax as a part of her executive budgets, aiming to reduce costs for consumers in a way that would make the regulated market more competitive against illicit operators. 

Hochul’s proposal replaces the potency tax with a wholesale excise tax of 9% in an attempt to “simplify, streamline, and reduce the tax collection obligations and burden for cultivators, processors, and distributors.” Cannabis would still be subject to the existing 9% state retail excise tax and 4% local retail excise tax, as well. 

The brief for the budget changes says the tax changes would “promote and support the expansion of the legal adult-use cannabis market” and also result in $6.5 million in tax revenue for localities. Hochul’s budget proposes $68.1 million in funding for the OCM in the next fiscal year.

New York officials will vote on home cultivation rules in February

New York regulators will vote on a set of proposed regulations for home grow for adult use. The proposal comes more than a year after adult-use sales began in the state. 

The proposal rules would allow adults to grow up to three mature and three immature cannabis plants in their home. The proposal includes a per household limit of six mature plants and six immature plants per private resident, regardless of the number of adults who live there. 

Other proposed rules include: 

  • Individuals can only cultivate at a single location
  • Landlords will not be able to prevent tenants from growing cannabis and will be able to determine whether to install other mitigation policies 
  • Those residing in federal or federally-subsidized housing will not be able to cultivate at home 
  • Home-grown cannabis cannot be shared or gifted 

If passed, adults would also be permitted to keep up to five pounds of cannabis at a time that they have obtained from the legal plants they grow. Currently, adults can possess up to three ounces of cannabis in New York, so this would represent a major increase in the amount of cannabis that is legal to possess.

If the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approves the proposed rules, a 60-day public comment period would begin. If no significant changes are made based on that period, the OCM will submit the regulations for final approval. A revised proposal would be followed by a 45-day public comment period, so it would still be some months before the rules were implemented if approved.

New Jersey regulators finalize plans for cannabis lounges

Regulators in New Jersey have officially signed off on rules governing the operation of cannabis consumption lounges and are expected to review applications in the coming months. Under the plan, dispensary owners would be eligible to open no more than one lounge, with an associated fee of $1,000 for microbusiness and $5,000 for standard businesses. 

Patrons must be 21 years of age or older to purchase or use cannabis products on-site in these lounges. Notably, medical cannabis patients will be permitted to bring their own products. Sales of food and alcohol will be prohibited. However, customers may be able to bring their own food or order food for delivery, mirroring the rules for New Jersey breweries, wineries, and distilleries. 

Navigating the shifting landscape

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