Regulators in New York Approve Allowing Patients to Cultivate Their Own medical marijuana Next Month

by Therin Miller | September 29, 2022

Officials voted on Tuesday to adopt home grow regulations for medical cannabis patients and another round of conditional marijuana processor and cultivator business applications. New York marijuana regulators still accept applications from people directly impacted by the drug war for the first adult-use cannabis retailer licenses.

A resolution requesting that the state create regulations allowing medical cannabis users to cultivate their plants for personal use was approved by the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). Additionally, they approved a limited partnership agreement between Social Equity Impact Ventures and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to improve industry equity and adopted revised hemp cannabis rules.

After a public comment period and nearly a year since the first draft regulations were put forth, the board finally approved the updated guidelines, leading to the passage of the medicinal cannabis home grow resolution. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has now been instructed by the CCB to formally transmit the approved regulations to the New York State Department of State.

I'm simply extremely happy that we can give folks this more economical choice to acquire that medication, he said.

Tuesday saw the approval of 10 more licenses for cannabis processors, bringing the total number of licenses since last month to 25.

In addition, they accepted 19 more cultivator applications from established hemp companies under laws and a seeding effort that Governor Kathy Hocul (D) signed in February. There are currently around 250 authorized cultivators.

Through September 26, OCM is currently accepting applications for conditional adult-use retail dispensary (CAURD) licenses. The first chance for license holders disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition to sell to recreational users could come as early as this year.

OCM revealed a regional breakdown of the 150 CAURD licenses it intends to accept last month.

The mayor of New York City recently announced the start of a new program to promote cannabis sector equality by assisting entrepreneurs most affected by the drug war in advance of the CAURD license applications opening.

The Cannabis NYC initiative promises to provide "support beyond the license" by connecting "aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs to free services, along with technical assistance to support successful businesses." The initiative initially aims to assist prospective dispensary operators through the licensing application process.

Regarding retailers, OCM's Alexander stated in July that the office carefully considered and addressed public comments on the suggested guidelines for conditional merchants. Despite this, several stakeholders have expressed dissatisfaction, believing that the input was not carefully considered.

A poll revealed that the majority of New York voters oppose the idea of giving justice-involved people priority for retail licenses.

As the state is ready to open its adult-use market, OCM also recently made several cease and desist letters to companies allegedly selling marijuana unlawfully.