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Licensing

Cannabis Control Board Approves 25 More Licenses, Statewide Total Hits 2,322

At its August 6 meeting, the Cannabis Control Board signed off on 25 new adult-use licenses — seven cultivators, ten processors, seven retail dispensaries, and one CAURD — pushing the statewide total past 2,300. Regulators also cleared 78 license renewals, nine CAURD renewals, and 25 license amendments, while denying two applications outright. Board Chair Jessica García framed the batch as evidence the state is still "building a regulatory framework that is transparent, predictable, and responsive," even as the pipeline of pending applicants remains in the thousands.

Aug 6, 2026
Policy

Hochul Signs Law Letting Cannabis Microbusinesses Sell at Farmers Markets

Governor Hochul signed S.10113/A.11217 on August 6, letting licensed microbusinesses serve as retailer, cultivator, and processor all at once for "Cannabis Showcase Event" permits — a rule change that removes the old requirement to partner with separate licensed cultivators and processors. The bill passed the Senate 47–13 and the Assembly 88–53, giving small growers and one-person operations a direct line to customers at approved farmers markets, pop-ups, and community events without a fixed retail lease.

Aug 6, 2026
Enforcement

NYC's Illicit Weed Crackdown Passes 1,600 Shops Shut Down, $113M Seized

The city's ongoing sweep of unlicensed smoke shops has now closed more than 1,631 locations and seized upward of $113.8 million in illicit cannabis product since May 2024, according to city officials. The pace hasn't slowed: a recent raid on Budzotic, an unlicensed shop in the Bronx, ended with nearly a dozen arrests. Even five years after legalization, the illicit market remains one of the biggest headwinds facing licensed operators competing on price and visibility across the five boroughs.

Aug 2026

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Mi Comunidad is NYC Weed News’ community journalism initiative, dedicated to documenting how cannabis legalization is shaping neighborhoods, families, schools, businesses, and everyday life across New York.

Weed Smart: Know the Law

What’s Legal in NY

21+ only. Adults can legally possess, buy, and consume cannabis in New York State.Limits: up to 3 oz flower or 24g concentrate.

Where You Can Use It

Cannabis use is allowed where tobacco smoking is permitted.❌ Not allowed in cars, schools, workplaces, or restricted buildings.

Buying Cannabis

Only licensed dispensaries can sell legal cannabis. They must display an OCM certificate in-store. 🚩 Avoid unlicensed “sticker shops.”

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Events & Industry Calendar — NYC Weed News
NYC Weed News

Events & Industry Calendar

Cannabis conferences, cultural festivals, networking nights, and community gatherings in NYC.

Aug – Nov 2026
August 2026
23Sun–Sun
US Open Tennis — Fan Week & Main Draw
SPORTSTENNIS
The Grand Slam takes over Flushing Meadows with Fan Week festivities leading into the main draw — practice courts, autograph lines, and a preview of the tournament vibe before the big names hit Arthur Ashe. USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Queens
28Fri–Sun
Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
JAZZFREE
A free East Village staple honoring Bird himself — outdoor sets, local horn players, and a crowd that treats Tompkins Square Park like a jazz club with no roof. Tompkins Square Park, East Village
September 2026
11Fri
NJ Cannabis Convention & NECANN Cup
CANNABISINDUSTRY
NECANN's Mid-Atlantic stop pulls operators, brands, and service providers across NY and NJ for compliance panels, a competition cup, and a floor worth the PATH ride. Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ
18Fri
Revelry Buyers' Club
CANNABISINDUSTRY
Licensed retailers, brands, and operators doing real deal-making — private meetings by day, public festival energy by night with music, comedy, and 200+ NY cannabis brands on the floor. Pier 36, Manhattan
26Sat–Sun
Sneaker Con Brooklyn — Coney Island
STREETWEARSNEAKERS
The Greatest Sneaker Show on Earth lands in Brooklyn — buy, sell, and trade sneakers, streetwear, and collectibles with live authentication on-site. NYC Weed News will be on the floor. Maimonides Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn
October 2026
2Fri
New York Cannabis & Hemp Convention
CANNABISINDUSTRY
A statewide gathering focused squarely on New York's market — licensing, regulation, and operational best practices for cultivators, processors, and retail. Albany Convention Center, Albany, NY
2Fri
Harry Styles — MSG Residency Kickoff
CONCERT
Styles opens a multi-night Madison Square Garden run in support of new music, with tour dates stretching across the fall. Madison Square Garden, Manhattan
3Sat
Shaboozey Live
CONCERT
The genre-blending country-hip-hop star brings "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and the rest of the hits to one of the city's most iconic rooms. Radio City Music Hall, Manhattan
8Thu
New York Comic Con
COMIC CONPOP CULTURE
North America's most-attended fan convention returns to the Javits Center — comics, cosplay, anime, gaming, and panels across four packed days. Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Manhattan
20Tue
Knicks Season Opener — Championship Banner Night
KNICKSNBA
The defending champs raise their first title banner since 1973 and get their rings before tipping off against LeBron James and the new-look 76ers. Opening night of the title defense, live on NBC/Peacock. Madison Square Garden, Manhattan
30Fri
Knicks at 76ers — NBA Cup Opener
KNICKSNBA
New York opens Emirates NBA Cup group play on the road in Philadelphia, defending both their NBA championship and their NBA Cup title in the same season. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia (away)
November 2026
4Wed
Rockettes Christmas Spectacular Opens
HOLIDAY
The annual holiday run kicks off, playing through early January — a fixture of NYC's season whether or not you've ever bought a ticket. Radio City Music Hall, Manhattan
14Sat
NY Comedy Festival: Sh&t Show w/ Jordan Klepper
COMEDY
Part of the broader NY Comedy Festival lineup — a hosted showcase night with Klepper leading a rotating set of comics. Manhattan (venue TBA)
All dates independently corroborated from at least two sources. Tap any event to expand details.

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NYC Weed News covers New York cannabis culture, legal updates, dispensary maps, events, and street-level stories. From licensed dispensaries to neighborhood coverage, we bring you what’s happening now across NYC. Learn more at the New York Office of Cannabis Management.

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