New York’s cannabis market is blooming this spring with more openings, stronger community outreach, and a focus on science-backed education. As of April 2025, the state has approved 1,610 adult-use licenses, with 366 legal dispensaries now in operation—and that number is growing by the week.

From Buffalo to Brooklyn, the rollout of licensed dispensaries continues at full speed. Recent newcomers to the scene include Mindset Cannabis Shop in Tarrytown, ZenZest Queens, and Verdi Park Slope in Brooklyn. These locations reflect the diverse communities shaping the New York cannabis experience, offering curated product menus and educational tools to ensure consumers make informed choices.

Dispensary Growth and Market Impact

New York now boasts a projected $1.5 billion in total cannabis revenue for 2025, driven by increasing access and the explosive demand for legal options. Long Island and Staten Island lead the charge in average regional revenue. Importantly, 63% of all adult-use licenses have gone to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants—including 53% minority-owned businesses, 69% women-owned businesses, and 20% Community Development-Inclusive (CDI) applicants.

Recent Storefronts Launched Across NYS:

  • Sky High Club (Manhattan)
  • Happy Times Cannabis Co. (Niagara Falls)
  • Nucleus Dispensary (Manhattan)
  • Q Dispensary (Brooklyn)
  • Green Leaf Cannabis & Wellness (Newburgh)
  • Happy Goat Dispensary (Rochester)
  • Herbalwai (Amherst)
  • Altitude Ithaca (Ithaca)
  • Smokey Paradise (East Greenbush)
  • Village One Stop (Angola)
    …and many more.

Each of these locations is equipped with the official Dispensary Verification Tool, ensuring consumers have access to safe, regulated products from trusted operators.

Workforce Development and Training Programs

In a national first, OCM launched the Responsible Workforce Training initiative, offering free educational programs to industry workers. This includes:

  • Cannabis Product Safety & Responsibility (OCM)
  • Cannabis Workforce Responsibility (NYSDOL)

These trainings focus on health, safety, compliance, and labor standards, reinforcing New York’s commitment to consumer protection and employee readiness.

Education Gets a QR Boost: “Higher Education” Campaign

OCM’s new Higher Education campaign is making trusted knowledge accessible in everyday spaces. Through bold QR code decals placed in public locations—licensed dispensaries, transit hubs, and tourist hotspots—New Yorkers can now scan to explore the Cannabis Education Library, a free resource with guidance on safe consumption, product types, and legal rights.

This initiative runs through June 17, 2025, and supports the goal of building a smarter, safer statewide market.

Science & Health: The Rise of Medical Research

OCM continues to back rigorous research through its #RootedInResearch and #NYCannabis Grand Rounds series. Recent sessions have spotlighted:

  • Cannabis & IBD with Dr. Adam Abodeely
  • Cannabis & Aging with Dr. Eugene Vortsman (May 20)
  • Cannabis & Kidney Health with Dr. Dara Huang

Additionally, the 2nd Annual Medical Cannabis Symposium—co-hosted with Northwell Health—returns this year, inviting speakers to present on the latest in cannabinoid science and culturally competent care. Submissions are open through June 5, 2025.

Support for Veterans and Career Seekers

OCM released a Veterans & Cannabis one-pager, highlighting employment, safe consumption, and VA guidance. Meanwhile, job seekers and businesses alike can engage with Virtual Career Fairs hosted throughout May by the Cannabis Employment & Education Development (CEED) Unit.

Upcoming virtual job fairs include:

  • NYC: May 13
  • Hudson Valley: May 22
  • Finger Lakes, Capital Region, Long Island, and more in between

Policy, Compliance, and Equity Watchdogs

With a strong eye on fairness, OCM’s Trade Practices Bureau is actively investigating unethical practices such as license stacking, pay-to-play schemes, and illicit imports. The agency invites anonymous reporting via hotline or web form to help preserve the integrity of the market.

Looking Ahead: A Culture in Motion

From medical research to retail expansion, New York’s cannabis momentum is undeniable. With the launch of new education campaigns, investment in workforce training, and continued support for social equity licensees, the state is setting a national standard for what inclusive and informed legalization can look like.

As Acting Executive Director Felicia A.B. Reid recently shared, the mission is clear: “We’re focused on stabilization, integrity, and putting people first. This isn’t just about selling products—it’s about building a lasting and equitable future.”