Just before the year's end, New York State has recorded the first legal sale of regulated adult-use cannabis.
The sale happened Thursday afternoon at Housing Works Cannabis Company in Manhattan. The company is the largest minority-controlled HIV/AIDS, community-based service organization in the United States.
The Cannabis Control Board issued the first 36 licenses for adult-use retail dispensaries just over a month ago, meaning more dispensaries will be on the way across the state.
Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement called the moment a "historic milestone" for the state.
"Today is only the beginning, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to solidify New York as a national model for the safe, equitable and inclusive industry we are now building," Hochul said.
Sales at the store commenced at 4:20 p.m., a nod to the unofficial marijuana holiday of April 20.