In an announcement made on Thursday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the state’s first adult-use retail licenses will be made accessible to those who have previously committed crimes involving marijuana. Individuals who have been convicted of a marijuana-related crime prior to legalization and also have expertise operating a small business will be offered this chance under the Seeding Opportunity Initiative.

People convicted of marijuana-related crimes or the families of those who have been convicted will be given priority in applying for the city’s first 100-200 retail licenses to legally sell recreational cannabis products. You or a member of your family must have been convicted of a marijuana-related crime in order to be one of the state’s first registered merchants.

“Those who otherwise would have been left behind,” said Chris Alexander, the executive director of the state’s Office of Cannabis Management.

According to Alexander, between 100 and 200 permits will be issued to persons who have been convicted of marijuana-related crimes or who have a parent, guardian, child, spouse, or dependent who has a prior marijuana conviction.

The strategy is part of a concerted attempt to guarantee that the state’s anticipated billion-dollar marijuana market is operated by individuals harmed by the decades-long war on drugs.

According to the press release issued by the governor’s office, sales may begin in the state as early as the end of 2022 with the help of a newly passed measure permitting the state’s hemp farmers to cultivate cannabis for adult use.