On September 12, New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) met to approve two major pieces that are integral to opening the cannabis market in New York. The CCB voted to approve final regulations that will govern the cannabis market and open the application period for all non-conditional adult-use licenses.
The application period for non-conditional adult-use licenses will open at 8:00 AM Eastern Time on October 4 and extend through 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 4. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will, however, begin reviewing and approving applications for retail dispensaries (where the applicant already has control over a proposed location) and microbusinesses by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on November 3. OCM has posted a form of application on its website.
New York’s adult-use cannabis market has been stalled since early August when a judge issued an injunction preventing OCM from proceeding with the approval process for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses. CAURD licensees were intended to receive first access to the retail dispensary market, but four military veterans brought a case against OCM alleging that the CAURD license program violated the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act by giving priority to people affected by a prior cannabis-related conviction over disabled veterans and other marginalized groups.
To learn more about the new regulations and the application period please contact HSE attorney Michael Roche.