New York cannabis farmers are challenging the state’s slow licensing process, arguing for the need to expedite retail licenses to combat the burgeoning illicit market. The Cannabis Farmers Alliance (CFA) criticized the Cannabis Association of New York’s (CANY) caution against rapid license issuance, a stance CFA believes will only perpetuate the market’s current challenges. The debate intensifies as the state Office of Cannabis Management reviews its approach under executive scrutiny.
CFA contends that limiting legal retail outlets continues to bolster illegal operations, with New York’s illicit cannabis market estimated at $7.4 billion annually. The organization stresses that increasing the number of legal dispensaries is essential not only to curb illegal sales but also to provide necessary revenue streams for the legal cannabis sector, which is currently generating about $200 million.
As state regulators and industry stakeholders navigate these tensions, the overarching goal remains to establish a balanced and thriving legal cannabis market in New York. The CFA emphasizes the urgency of expanding legal sales facilities to ensure the viability of the state’s cannabis industry and the success of its regulatory framework.
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