New York State expands legal cannabis with 52 new adult-use licenses, 68% awarded to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants. Plus: new dispensary openings, seed-to-sale tracking, and the Buy Legal map launch.
From publisher to dispensary founder, Christina de Giovanni’s journey from The Emerald Magazine to building a three-storefront cannabis brand in NYC is rewriting the playbook on equity, legacy, and community-first business in the legal market.
Smoke DZA opens up about his deep-rooted relationship with the plant, launching a potent new strain, and co-founding Fourth Rope wrestling with Westside Gunn—all while keeping his creative energy grounded in real life and real hustle.
Jeff Schultz, a former hedge fund attorney, has become a leading voice in cannabis law and policy. From shaping New York’s adult-use rollout to advising top brands, his journey reflects the power of passion, advocacy, and legal expertise in a shifting industry.
From launching a cannabis cookbook campaign to leading a powerhouse agency with nearly 50 clients, Rosie Mattio transformed modern media for the plant. With offices in NYC, LA, and Toronto, her firm is shaping the future of cannabis branding and communication.
Akallah Figueroa, aka 24K, is NYC’s self-proclaimed flower head and terp queen. From discovering her roots at Happy Munkey to sharing her top picks like Runtz, Alien Cookies, and Baja Blaze vapes, she’s blazing a new trail in the culture
New York’s cannabis market hits new highs with 366 dispensaries, workforce training programs, and a statewide education campaign. OCM leads with equity, safety, and science to grow a smarter, more inclusive industry.
The Cannaleptic Rating, a first-of-its-kind cannabis scoring system inspired by the Wine Score, has launched in New York. Now used by brands like Foy, Florist Farms, and Umamii, the system helps consumers easily evaluate quality through data, aroma, taste, and effect.
Dynasty Commodities opens its Harlem dispensary with a 420 block party featuring Jadakiss, Remy Ma, Jim Jones, Dave East, and more. Co-founded by NY Giants star Jon Beason and Rich Jospitre, the launch marks a major cultural milestone in New York’s legal space.
The Flowery, New York’s largest cannabis retailer, celebrates 420 with Flowery Fest in Staten Island, a Miami party at Factory Town, and exclusive deals across 16 stores in NY and FL. Honeysuckle talks with team lead Katie Seccombe about culture, connection, and za for life.
Emerald Dispensary lights up NYC this 420 with 25% off storewide, free pre-rolls, and daily brand activations at both Brooklyn and Manhattan locations. Don’t miss FLAMER’s picnic bus ride, BOGO edibles, and four full days of elevated celebration.
Discover Rove’s 2025 420 collection featuring ultra-potent live resin diamond vapes and triple-infused Ice Pack prerolls. Explore premium strains like Strawberry Cough, Apple Fritter, and Watermelon Burst across 12+ legal markets.
Vlad Bautista of Happy Munkey shares the powerful legacy of Uptown NYC as a cannabis mecca. From street retail to licensed dispensary, his journey highlights how Washington Heights helped shape New York’s cannabis culture—then and now.
NBA icon Carmelo Anthony launches his cannabis brand STAYME7O and Grand National agency in New York. In partnership with Jesce Horton and Beedy, the brand combines premium flower, social equity, and community empowerment in its East Coast debut.
Discover the story of Krax, founder of Pops Cookies and DatzPackz, as he builds legacy brands from Queens to NYC’s legal scene. From underground roots to Datz Deli’s viral fame, his grind blends family, flavor, and culture in New York’s evolving market.
