Where does weed money go?

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) launched its Community Reinvestment Program on Thursday, earmarking $5 million in grants for nonprofits with services for people under 25. Youth-oriented organizations in underserved areas of the state can apply for $100,000 grants, and they don’t need any cannabis connection.

“These funds are not a seat at the table,” reads a press release from the OCM. “They are the opportunity to make the meal.”

Program funding comes directly from tax revenues on legal weed across New York, and would support mental health, workforce development, and housing initiatives. It follows with the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act—legalizing sales to adults for recreational use—that specifically outlines legislators’ goal of helping communities that were hurt by prohibition.

Organizations can apply online , so long as they’re registered for the OCM eGrants system . OCM will award grants based on how well the application aligns with restorative justice goals, the quality of the applicant’s programs for young people, and whether the local county has been identified as having a high need.

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