ALBANY, N.Y. (WCAX) – New York sales for legal cannabis — and state revenues — are ramping up.

Governor Kathy Hochul says the state’s weed industry has surpassed $1 billion in sales.

The state has 275 adult-use retail dispensaries open for business. Hochul attributes at least half the boost in sales to economic equity applicants that empower minority and women-owned businesses.

Cannabis sales brought in over $80 million in state revenue last fiscal year. Halfway through the current fiscal year, that number is already $67 million.

Hochul says the growth comes as the state has tried to crack down on hundreds of illegal weed shops that have sprouted up since legalization, especially in New York City.

“Earlier this year, my administration took critical steps to promote progress and economic opportunity within New York’s budding cannabis industry, including signing new enforcement powers into law that expedited the closure of unlicensed storefronts and, as a result, bolstered our legal market,” Hochul said in a statement. “Today, we recognize the $1 billion milestone as more than just a number—it’s a testament to the hard work of those who helped build the strongest cannabis industry in the nation: one that prioritizes equity, ensures public safety, and empowers communities.”

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