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New York’s legal cannabis market continues to grow, and with that growth comes opportunities for more tailored access. One important group that deserves attention is veterans. As of August 2025, approximately 563,400 veterans lived in New York State, representing about 3.6% of the state’s adult population. While this share places New York 51st in veteran population per capita among U.S. states and territories, the impact veterans have on their communities is significant. Their needs, particularly around wellness and healthcare, are diverse—and cannabis has increasingly played a meaningful role in their lives.

Veterans across the country, including in Utica and the surrounding Mohawk Valley, often explore cannabis as a means of addressing health challenges that may

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