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ALBANY, N.Y. (WENY) — On Monday, the New York State Cannabis Control Board approved 99 more conditional adult-use retail cannabis dispensaries.

This brings the number of licenses in the state to 165. The program’s expansion will further advance New York State’s Seeding Opportunity Initiative.

According to the state, license applications will continue to be sent in for consideration on a rolling basis.

To be eligible, applicants are required to have a prior cannabis conviction.

“We are proud of today’s approval of 99 CAURD provisional licenses, marking a vast expansion of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative as we continue to build an equitable market that offsets harms caused by cannabis prohibition and its disproportionate enforcement,” said Tremaine Wright, Chair of the Cannabis Control Board. These new licenses will allow entrepreneurs to fairly participate in the legal market while promoting innovation and creative diversity throughout New York’s ever-growing cannabis supply chain and we’re thankful for the ongoing support of Governor Hochul and the Legislature for helping us reach this day.”

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of 99 more CAURD provisional licenses as we continue to work swiftly and equitably to establish New York’s cannabis industry,” said Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. “The approval of these licenses will help expedite building a robust and diverse supply chain while also ensuring that individuals that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition have meaningful opportunities to participate in the industry.”