Now this is a headline I didn't expect to see! State officials asking folks to buy cannabis! California And New York State Officials Tell People To Buy Marijuana On Black Friday https://www.marijuanamoment.net/cal...tell-people-to-buy-marijuana-on-black-friday/ Marijuana regulators in California and New York are encouraging people to take advantage of Black Friday deals and support small businesses by shopping for cannabis at licensed retailers. As companies promote savings on the post-Thanksgiving sales occasion, both the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) shared posts on Friday to help people find marijuana from authorized venders. “Don’t follow the hordes of shoppers today!” California’s DCC said. “This Friday shop smart, shop licensed cannabis.” (There was a "X" message from Ca. Department of Cannabis Control here in the article, but it didn't copy) The New York OCM, meanwhile, shared a video of Empire State Development Commissioner Hope Knight, who also serves on the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB), urging consumers to support small and local businesses this weekend to “sustain jobs and generate regional economic growth.” That same sentiment applies to the marijuana market, regulators said. “While you grab some #BlackFriday deals, take a note from #NYCCB member, Hope Knight and support #SmallBusinessSaturdays at one of your local dispensaries,” they said. (There was a "X" message from NYS Office of Cannabis Management here) As state marijuana industries have continued to emerge and mature, officials have increasingly used their platforms to encourage people to transition away from illicit markets and toward licensed retailers where products are regulated, taxed and tested for quality. The Black Friday promotion from California and New York represents another example of how that line of messaging is being normalized. Both posts include links so that people can find licensed dispensaries nearest them. (snipped) Granny
New York City, despite having 8.468 million people, only has nine licensed cannabis shops. In Brooklyn, which has a population of 2.77 million, and is the largest borough in NYC, there are no legal recreational dispensaries. The licensing program has been a complete failure in New York State. Thousands of unlicensed shops exist, however, making it a breeze for New Yorkers or visitors to obtain weed and related cannabis products.