New York Marks the Start of Home Medical Marijuana Cultivation.

by Therin Miller | October 13, 2022

On Wednesday, New York State made progress toward putting marijuana legalization into effect. Now, both medical professionals and patients are permitted to begin cultivating marijuana at home.

Before registering with the Office of Cannabis Management, patients must be at least 21 years old and present a doctor's recommendation. As per the rule, the plants can be cultivated indoors or outdoors, but they must be hidden from view on private land. Only three mature and three immature plants may be present in a cultivator at any given moment.

The program, according to its supporters, is a significant advancement.

According to Nicole Quackenbush, director of the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, "this provides patients in New York State with a new opportunity to help improve affordability and accessibility for those patients who might wish to produce their cannabis at home for medical use." Director of Health and Safety.

It is unknown when retail cannabis sales will start, but the state hopes to do so by the end of 2022 for individuals who are 21 and older. Authorities received more than 900 applications for retail dispensary permits. Regulators intend to approve 150 of them, but they haven't said how long it will take.