The Hard Truth Behind New York’s Latino-Led Cannabis Boom
Some call New York the most inclusive cannabis market in America for Latino entrepreneurs. But behind the licenses and headlines, the reality is more complex.
Article By Javier Hasse for Forbes
New York legalized adult-use cannabis in 2021 with a bold proposition: put the people harmed by prohibition at the center of legalization. Prioritize justice-involved entrepreneurs. Make equity a target with teeth, not a tagline. For many Latino operators, that ambition translated into reality.
In neighborhoods like Astoria, Dyckman and Bed-Stuy, Latino-owned dispensaries are now open for business. Entrepreneurs with lived experience—formerly incarcerated, legacy veterans, community builders—are staking their claim in the regulated market. Sometimes in the same zip codes where the plant once got them arrested.
But is New York really the most inclusive cannabis market in the country? And what does inclusion mean once the confetti settles and the leases are signed?
To find out, I spoke with Latino cannabis entrepreneurs from across the city. Most received Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses. Their reflections reveal a nuanced picture: the blueprint is solid, but execution remains fraught.
