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New York's marijuana chief believes

$1.5 billion in sales is possible in 2025

Courtesy photo

Felicia Reid inherited a bona fide challenge when she took over as acting executive director of New York State's Office of Cannabis Management 10 months ago.

Or, as Gov. Kathy Hochul memorably described New York's rollout of a recreational marijuana market, Reid inherited a "disaster" – a situation with lawsuits halting retail licensing, an enormous and brazen illicit market, licensed growers sitting on mountains of unsold product and a flawed social equity fund.

But as adult-use legalization in New York turns 4 years old – a generational shift by itself, considering New York City was the "marijuana arrest capital of the world" as recently as 2012 – the market appears to now be on track.

"Running an agency, whether it's been around for five years or for 200 years, and to do it in an environment where there is no playbook, is not easy," Reid said.

"I'm very careful about words like 'disruptive' or 'disruptor' … but New York chose to approach this industry in a different way, and that was not the status quo.

"And as much as people pooped on it … it has actually shown to be effective."

During her interview with MJBizDaily, Reid also said adult-use sales in New York could reach $1.5 billion in 2025. Read story >

More Headlines

• Marijuana rescheduling not on agenda 'at this time,' White House official says. Read story >
• Organigram acquisition offers pathway into US hemp-derived THC market. Read story >

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Insights on growing & manufacturing cannabis

As cannabis consumer tastes evolve,

industry must look beyond potency

Photo by YARphotographer/stock.adobe.com

For years, the cannabis industry has been shaped by a singular focus: THC potency.

Store menus highlight percentages, consumers chase high numbers and many strains have been bred to maximize THC content at the expense of other characteristics.

But is that truly what makes marijuana special?

Keeping up with industry trends while maintaining quality is crucial for businesses navigating this rapidly shifting landscape.

Historically, marijuana breeding focused on aroma, flavor and nuanced effects.

Strains were selected for their distinct terpene profiles, from sweet and floral to earthy and gassy.

However, widespread lab testing and commercialization shifted the focus almost entirely to THC content, leading to a homogenization of available genetics.

However, potency does not have to come at the cost of flavor or complexity. Read story >

Humboldt County extends deadline to pay marijuana cultivation taxes

Photo by Andrey Popov/stock.adobe.com

Humboldt County supervisors have extended the deadline for hundreds of marijuana farmers to pay off cultivation taxes enacted years ago.

County growers faced a March 31 deadline to eliminate all tax debts related to Measure S, a ballot referendum approved by voters in 2016, more than a year before the launch of adult-use sales.

Supervisors pushed the looming deadline to April 4 for 210 license holders to make their first payments or face suspension.

For the hundreds more who have made some payment, their deadline was extended to Dec. 31, 2025. Read story >

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More Headlines

• How a Colorado operator stumbled onto 'blueprint for laundering' cannabis. Read story >
• Debt and default force marijuana operator Gold Flora into receivership filing. Read story >
• German cannabis exec reflects on 1-year anniversary of recreational policy reform. Read story >
• Hawaii lawmakers weighing proposals to boost medical marijuana program. Read story >
• New York City cannabis chief Dasheeda Dawson abruptly resigns. Read story >
• Michigan marijuana processor surrenders permit; owners barred from industry. Read story >
• Thousands vie for Minnesota adult-use licenses; 2025 launch possible. Read story >
• Florida's medical cannabis license renewal fees will stay at $1.3 million. Read story >

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