New Adult-Use Cannabis Business Licenses Approved in New York

New Adult-Use Cannabis Business Licenses Approved in New York

The New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) met on February 16th and voted on several items. new draft cannabis regulationsalso announced the first round of adult-use licenses, including cultivation and research.

The CCB approved draft regulations listing potential plant limits and possession quantities, and the February 16 meeting began with the following: 60-day public comment period. Current regulations suggest that adults can grow up to six plants, of which only three can mature at a time. If more than one adult lives in the residence, the maximum number of plants can increase to 12. Additionally, residents can possess up to 5 pounds of marijuana. Home-grown plants must be stored safely and out of public view, and regulations place restrictions on people with multiple residences and concerns about potential odor issues and complaints from neighbors. Rules have also been added.

The agency also approved the state's first two cannabis research licenses. “These licenses pave the way for groundbreaking research that will help us understand the full potential of the plant.” CCB wrote on social media:.

However, the most notable decision features the CCB's initial approval. Round of adult-use cannabis licenses From applications submitted in 2023, there will be a total of 109 licenses for the state. In addition, 38 new licenses are for retail businesses and 26 are for small business licenses. CCB also announced that it will send 350 notices of deficiency to applicants requesting various updates, which they must respond to within 30 days.

Currently, the only cannabis business license holders in the state are approved under the Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) program, which is granted specifically to social equity applicants. Although these business owners hold conditional licenses, CCB's latest license is the first unconditional license granted, meaning they did not qualify as social equity applicants. .

CCB Chairman Tremaine Wright spoke at the meeting and expressed relief that the time has come to move New York's cannabis industry forward. “This moment took a long time to create,” Wright said. “I can assure you that this is just the beginning. The Office is working diligently to prepare as many applications as possible for consideration, and the Board will continue to approve additional licenses at future Board meetings.” He added that the CCB's goal is to “work on a number of things that we hope will help move the industry forward.”

The meeting was originally scheduled to be held on January 25, but Governor Kathy Hochul asked the CCB to cancel the meeting the day before. He said, “The Cannabis Control Commission… has decided to postpone the meeting to finalize the review of the adult use permit application currently being considered by the Commission for approval.” times union It was reported on the news. “While we have a series of licenses ready for approval, there are many more we want to get across the finish line to revitalize New York’s cannabis market in 2024. We can issue as many licenses as quickly as possible. CCB issued a press release explaining that the matter was “on hold due to litigation from corporate interests.” At the time, news outlets reported that only three pharmacies were scheduled to be announced for license approval. City.

Hochul spoke to me buffalo news The editorial board on Jan. 24 described the state's recreational marijuana rollout as a “disaster.” “I don't defend it for a second,” she explained.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the original cannabis regulatory framework in spring 2021, but Hochul took office in August 2021, after the bill had already been signed into law. “I have to go back to the very beginning,” she explained. “Before my time, [as governor], this law was written in a way that was not set up for success. ” The first cannabis dispensary opened in New York City in December 2022 by a nonprofit called Housing Works.

Hochul also expressed frustration that the illegal market continues to grow rapidly. “it's not [on] On every street corner,” Hochul said of illegal pharmacies. “That's every other storefront. That's insane.”

Hochul said he pushed for stricter laws in 2023 to prevent the spread of illegal sales, but to no avail. “I believe tobacco should be treated like cigarettes. Local law enforcement can stop the illegal sale of unlicensed and untaxed cigarettes.” Hochul continued. “They don't want to know the laws to stop illegal activities.”

Hochul said part of the reason New York took so long to approve more licenses faster is because it prioritized licensing for social equity applicants, which last year Licenses that led to numerous lawsuits and new cannabis suspensions in May. “We have farmers who are losing money. We have people who have taken out loans and are excited about the opportunity and are ready to get started,” she said. “And in the meantime, no money is coming back to the state. We have all this and the illegal market is thriving.”

In the end, Hochul explained that he wished he could have resolved the legal issue. “There's a part of me that just wants to start over,” she explained. “But I have to go back to the Legislature and convince them to change the law in all the ways I've described. It's probably not going to happen.”

Steve
administrator
With two decades of dedicated experience, Nuggs is a seasoned cannabis writer and grower. His journey has been a harmonious blend of nurturing cannabis from seed to harvest and crafting insightful content. A true expert, they've honed strain-specific knowledge, cultivation techniques, and industry insights. His passion shines through enlightening articles and thriving gardens, making them a respected figure in both the growing and writing facets of the cannabis world.

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