Why Was Hudson Valley Shut Out of First Round of Legal Weed Stores?

Nearly 40 New York stores across the state will soon be allowed to legally sell weed. Why was the Hudson Valley not included?

The New York State Cannabis Control Board approved the first Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Licenses, on Monday.

36 New York Locations Where You Can First Legally Buy Weed

Below are the first 36 locations across New York State where you will soon be able to legally purchase marijuana:

Capital Region

• Capital District Cannabis & Wellness
• D-Andrews
• Essential Flowers
• Stage One Cannabis

New York City

• On Point Cannabis
• Smacked LLC
• Gabriel Marin
• Housing Works Cannabis
• Florisun LLC
• The Doe Store
• Kush & Kemet
• Urban Weeds
• Gotham Caurd
• CWS Holdings
• NYCCABUDS

Bronx

• Nube NYC
• Carl M Anderson III
• Royal Leaf NY

Queens

• Growth Industries NY
• Gabby's Green
• CGG Enterprises Inc.
• Suzanne M Furboter

Staten Island

• Eastern Holdings
• Planet 51
• Anthony Crapanzano
• Eastern Holdings 88
• SAMJNY Holdings

Long Island

• Brian Stark Enterprises LLC
• Albert D Capraro
• Strain Stars LLC
• Root 13, LLC
• Hydo Phonics
• Keep it 100
• Hydo Phonics

Southern Tier

• William Durham
• Union Chill Cannabis NY

Mohawk Valley

• Cured NY, LLC

North County

• Brent L Rogers

Hudson Valley Shut Out

While some of the first 36 locations are not a far drive from the Hudson Valley no store is located in the region.

This is a disappointment to many residents who have been waiting for a store to open up in the Hudson Valley that can legally sell marijuana.

It's unclear why the Hudson Valley wasn't included in the first batch of dispensaries.

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management says it reviewed more than 900 applicants.

The licenses were awarded via the New York State Seeding Opportunity Initiative which stated the first legal adult-use retail dispensaries that will be allowed to open in New York State be opened by people who were the most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition of cannabis or nonprofit organizations whose services include support for the formerly incarcerated.

The approved dispensaries will make the first legal adult-use sales with cannabis products grown by New York farmers, officials say.

On Monday the board approved 36 provisional licensees. 28 of the licenses were given to businesses while eight went to non-profits.

More New York Marijuana Licenses Coming Soon

The hope is the Hudson Valley will get a store in the next batch of licenses.

For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook, download the Hudson Valley Post Mobile App and sign up for the Hudson Valley Post Newsletter.

Officials plan to grant up to 175 licenses. Up to 150 will be individual applicants and up to 25 to nonprofit applicants, officials say.

Opening Sale Date

An official opening sale date has yet to be announced but officials say after the businesses complete all the paperwork, the first recreational marijuana dispensaries could be up and running sometime next month.