New York state officials maintain the opening of the first of Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary licenses in the Southern Tier advances New York State’s Seeding Opportunity Initiative.
Additionally, the action brings to fruition the state’s goals of cannabis licensing equity, prioritizing providing licenses to justice-involved individuals who are people with a cannabis conviction or a close relative of someone with one and non-profits serving justice-involved individuals.
“With the opening of new dispensaries like Just Breathe in Binghamton, we continue to expand the nation’s most equitable and inclusive cannabis industry here in New York,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “New York remains committed to supporting independent business dispensary owners, New York farmers who poured their heart into their harvest, and every adult who wants to enjoy legally purchased cannabis in and from the Empire State.”
The Binghamton dispensary will be owned and operated by a partnership involving experienced local entrepreneur Damien Cornwell and the Non-Profit Broome County Urban League (BCUL). Cornwell has aided BCUL initiatives that include providing justice-involved individuals with resources, education, and pathways to careers over the past 20 years.
“New York States Cannabis Industry is growing, and by empowering local non-profits and individuals harmed by prohibition, we’re showing the nation how to establish an equitable and fair cannabis industry,” Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright said. “The Seeding Opportunity Initiative launched by Gov. Hochul last year has enabled us to continue to expand our reach, bringing opportunities to diverse communities across the state. We’re creating jobs, spurring economic growth, and providing access to quality cannabis products and education across the state.”