Marijuana

Office of Cannabis Management Director Chris Alexander testifies at a State Senate hearing in Albany.

New York Cannabis Chief Resigns After Criticism from Hochul

May 25, 2024, 12:23 p.m.May 25, 2024, 12:23 p.m.

Chris Alexander wrote that he can no longer effectively lead the Office of Cannabis Management “under current circumstances.”

Marijuana

State Suspends New Cannabis Biz Leases as Lawmakers Grill Hochul Nominee Following THE CITY’s Reporting

May 21, 2024, 6:10 p.m.Jan. 13, 2025, 4:03 p.m.

Dormitory Authority nominee Robert Rodriguez had few answers for state Senate on loans licensees say they can’t pay — and that the state is on the hook for.

Marijuana

State Lawmakers Slam Cannabis Contract with Private Equity Firm

May 8, 2024, 1:50 p.m.May 8, 2024, 1:59 p.m.

Bronx state Sen. Gustavo Rivera is among three state legislators demanding more scrutiny of a costly loan deal uncovered by THE CITY.

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks about cracking down on unlicensed cannabis shops.

Marijuana

How Private Equity Trumped Social Equity in State Cannabis Deal

April 24, 2024, 5:01 a.m.Oct. 22, 2024, 10:40 a.m.

Confidential documents obtained by THE CITY reveal how Chicago Atlantic Group became one of the biggest beneficiaries of the state’s legalization program.

Labor

Inside a Brooklyn Sweatshop That Processes Tobacco for Bodegas

Feb. 29, 2024, 5:00 a.m.June 4, 2025, 2:47 p.m.

Several immigrant women have filed complaints with state labor authorities alleging they work 13-hour days for far less than minimum wage, curing leaves sold at smoke shops to be rolled with weed.

"Illicit Cannabis Seized" read several signs taped to the door of an East Village smoke shop.

Marijuana

New York Fined Unlicensed Weed Shops More Than $25 Million — and Collected Almost None of That

Feb. 22, 2024, 5:00 a.m.Feb. 22, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has said she wants to shut down the illegal stores, but the lack of enforcement reveals just how hard that task will be.

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks about a state law enforcement effort against unlicensed cannabis businesses.

Marijuana

Calling Cannabis Rollout a ‘Disaster,’ Hochul Blames Law for Rampant Illegal Sales

Jan. 31, 2024, 6:31 p.m.Jan. 31, 2024, 6:32 p.m.

Governor calls unlicensed dealing in “every other storefront” “insane” while her officials struggle to get legal retailers launched.

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks about a state law enforcement effort against unlicensed cannabis businesses, June 22, 2023.

Marijuana

Sudden Cannabis Board Meeting Cancellation Came at Hochul’s Request, Email Suggests

Jan. 24, 2024, 8:11 p.m.Jan. 24, 2024, 8:40 p.m.

Just three proposed dispensary licenses were on the agenda for a meeting canceled abruptly Tuesday night — while hundreds of frustrated retail-store applicants wait.

Marijuana

Weed Gone Wild: 34 Cannabis Shops — But Just One Licensed — on the Lower East Side

Jan. 5, 2024, 6:00 a.m.Jan. 5, 2024, 11:10 a.m.

New York’s marijuana legalization was supposed to bring order and justice to the market. Instead, one year later, it’s created a confusing potpourri of vendors.

Eric Adams

What THE CITY Newsroom is Watching in 2024

Jan. 2, 2024, 7:48 a.m.March 12, 2024, 3:06 p.m.

Casinos, a federal takeover at Rikers, the ongoing migrant crisis and more. Here’s what our reporters have on their radar in the New Year.

Marijuana

New York Cannabis Chief Resigns After Criticism from Hochul

State Suspends New Cannabis Biz Leases as Lawmakers Grill Hochul Nominee Following THE CITY’s Reporting

State Lawmakers Slam Cannabis Contract with Private Equity Firm

How Private Equity Trumped Social Equity in State Cannabis Deal

Inside a Brooklyn Sweatshop That Processes Tobacco for Bodegas

New York Fined Unlicensed Weed Shops More Than $25 Million — and Collected Almost None of That

Calling Cannabis Rollout a ‘Disaster,’ Hochul Blames Law for Rampant Illegal Sales

Sudden Cannabis Board Meeting Cancellation Came at Hochul’s Request, Email Suggests

Weed Gone Wild: 34 Cannabis Shops — But Just One Licensed — on the Lower East Side

What THE CITY Newsroom is Watching in 2024

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