How Local Opposition Threatens Long Island’s Cannabis Market And What That Means For Investors
New York’s adult-use cannabis market is poised to be one of the most robust in the country—but only if local governments allow it to be. While headlines focus on licensing delays and court battles, a quieter yet equally damaging problem continues to stall market growth: local municipalities opting out of legal cannabis retail. And no region illustrates this challenge more clearly than Long Island.
As co-founders of a licensed cannabis dispensary still awaiting local approval, we’ve seen up close how a vocal minority—often armed with misinformation—can block access to safe, legal cannabis. This is not just a Long Island issue; it’s a national and even global challenge. But here, the disconnect is especially striking. Long Island is home to nearly 3 million people, with a mature consumer base and close proximity to New York City. Yet vast portions of Nassau and Suffolk Counties remain cannabis deserts.
The opportunity cost is staggering. According to Newsday, Long Island municipalities brought in nearly $3.5 million in 2024 alone from legal cannabis sales—with the Town of Babylon accounting for over $2.6 million of that total. Babylon’s success story underscores what’s possible when communities embrace a legal, regulated market. …