New York Aims to Give Cannabis Industry to Those Harmed by Prohibition

BLOOM ROC, a cannabis incubator, is helping guide social equity license holders into the legal market

Apr. 20, 2026 at 5:21am

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When New York legalized cannabis in 2021, the state made social equity its top priority, aiming to give those most harmed by criminalization a first crack at opening dispensaries and cultivating operations. BLOOM ROC, a non-profit cannabis incubator, is now working to guide these social equity license holders and provide resources to help them build their brands and find their footing in the burgeoning legal market.

Why it matters

New York's approach to cannabis legalization stands out for its focus on social equity, in contrast to other states that have prioritized well-funded corporations. By empowering those most impacted by the criminalization of cannabis, New York is attempting to right past wrongs and ensure the legal industry benefits the communities that suffered the most under prohibition.

The details

BLOOM ROC is a non-profit organization that is helping guide social and economic equity (SEE) license holders in New York's cannabis industry. To qualify for a SEE license, applicants must be from a marginalized group, have an income below 80% of their area's median, live in a community disproportionately affected by criminalization, or have a prior cannabis conviction. BLOOM ROC provides resources to these minority-owned businesses to help them build their brands, network with other owners, and find their place in the market.

  • New York passed the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act in 2021, legalizing cannabis.
  • In 2025, cannabis sales in New York passed $1.6 billion.
  • The state set a goal of awarding 50% of cannabis licenses to social equity applicants.

The players

BLOOM ROC

A non-profit cannabis incubator organization that is helping guide social equity license holders in New York's legal cannabis market.

Precious Brown

The president of BLOOM ROC, who is focused on ensuring women and people of color have a chance to participate in the legal cannabis industry.

Brandi Hester-Harrell

The strategic advisor to BLOOM ROC, who believes New York's social equity approach is unique compared to other states.

Michael Patterson

A Rochester City Councilmember who represents a largely Black district and sees the cannabis industry as a potential form of reparations.

Jeffery Medford

The director of community engagement for BLOOM ROC, who is working to support local legacy market players in entering the legal industry.

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What they’re saying

“I really wanted to make sure that women and individuals who look like me, they had a fighting chance if we were going to put equity at the forefront, if we were going to talk about communities that were devastated by prohibition.”

— Precious Brown, President of BLOOM ROC

“My push in journalism is everyone is quick to talk about how bad New York's rollout was. I work in multiple states (and) I have not seen one state publicly put social equity at the forefront and try to hold the line. Everybody else weeded it in in a way that it was second.”

— Brandi Hester-Harrell, Strategic Advisor to BLOOM ROC

“It's not just about Black and brown people. It's about service, disabled veterans, women, minorities, anyone living in a community devastated by prohibition from 1981 to 2021 as well as farmers, right? We want to make sure that we're all encompassing and being a resource to everyone.”

— Precious Brown, President of BLOOM ROC

What’s next

A key piece missing is onsite consumption, which would allow smokers' lounges and similar establishments to open. BLOOM ROC continues to push the state to move forward on such provisions.

The takeaway

New York's approach to cannabis legalization, with its focus on social equity, represents a unique opportunity to empower the communities most harmed by prohibition and ensure the legal industry benefits those who built it in the legacy market. Organizations like BLOOM ROC are playing a crucial role in guiding these social equity license holders and helping them establish themselves in the burgeoning legal cannabis market.