Mayor Eric Adams met with the city’s Department of Small Business Services to discuss plans to grow the cannabis industry in New York City and launch Cannabis NYC.
The new program will serve as a service to support the equitable growth of new industries in the city. Cannabis NYC helps cannabis industry stakeholders and small business entrepreneurs create new jobs and grow their businesses.
The program is set up to help those entering the industry obtain licenses and access the wide range of small business services available while addressing the harm of cannabis prohibition.
Adams stressed that he will prioritize those who have been previously arrested for marijuana possession.
“It could be a young man in jail for drug possession, or a mom who needs a job and a side business, or a mom who wants to start her own business,” said Mayor Adams. We’re here to get our message out loud and clear.”
Applications for cannabis licenses begin this Thursday. Officials say the new industry is expected to generate $1.3 billion in sales by next year and create up to 24,000 new jobs over the next three years.