💨 The number of legal cannabis shops in New York State nearly doubled in a year, reaching a new high of more than 550 shops, state regulators said Friday.

The state’s Office of Cannabis Management said 556 licensed adult-use dispensaries had opened in the state as of Nov. 30., nearly doubling from the 261 dispensaries in 2024.

About a third of the dispensaries, more than 200, have opened in New York City.

Legal sales of cannabis have topped $2.5 billion since legalization in 2021, generating more than $360 million in tax revenue for the state.

“It’s a great thing,” said Ajaie Gibson, co-founder of Nonna Farms, adding the state has turned things around following an initially rocky rollout.

Osbert Orduña, the owner of Cannabis Place in Middle Village, said that while “it’s a good thing overall,” disabled veterans who were supposed to be given priority have also been smoked out, “lost in application queues that have thousands and thousands of applicants.”

🎤 Eileen Lehpamer reports

📸 Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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