Latest Alert NY Office of Cannabis Management

Greetings New Yorkers,

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (the Office) is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and competitive market, ensuring that legal, safer, tested cannabis is readily available to adult New Yorkers over the age of 21. Since legalization, we’ve worked to ensure that New York’s cannabis market promotes health and safety, equity, and sustainability. So, we’re pleased by the new changes in the law to allow the Office to close more illicit cannabis and smoke shops more quickly, in close coordination with city and county governments, as well as other state agencies. These shops threaten New Yorkers’ health and safety, as well as the state’s equity efforts. This will be a critical as licensed entrepreneurs seek to develop innovative and authentic brands and businesses in this market.

Here are some other major updates as we continue to build out the market:

From Seed to Sale: #NYcannabis now has 110+ Adult-Use dispensaries across the state!
- Celebrating THE BIG 1-0-0! Big Gas dispensary, a family owned and operated business located in New Paltz, is New York State’s 100th brick-and-mortar adult-use dispensary. The opening marks an expansion of access to safer, tested cannabis products for communities across the state!
- Blossoming Businesses: Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed a steady stream of new dispensary openings. Since March, #NYcannabis adult-use dispensaries from Buffalo, Rochester, Rock Hill, and the Bronx have opened their doors, bringing New York State to a total of 114 adult-use cannabis dispensaries. The many faces behind these openings are a testimony to the equity focused approach of the Office. In the #NYcannabis market:
  - Nearly 40% of operational dispensaries are majority minority-owned businesses.
  - In less than 3 years, New York has more than 2x the national rate of majority Black-owned dispensaries.
  - Over 95% of New York’s cannabis retail market are small businesses.

4/20 Update: From empowering the canna-curious to featuring 600+ products to consumers, the #NYcannabis market blossomed on the 4/20 holiday. Check out some pictures.
Cannabis Control Board (#NYCCB) April 11th Meeting Recap:
- AU Licenses Awarded: Springing into action, the #NYCCB approved 101 adult-use licenses, with 35 allocated to retail dispensaries licenses and 22 to microbusiness licenses. In 2024, the #NYCCB has granted 403 Adult-Use licenses.
- Provisional Licensing Resolution: The OCM is now authorized to grant provisional licenses intermittently between board meetings, expediting the licensing process, enabling quicker responses to applicants, and fostering a more efficient regulatory operation. Note: All final licensure must still be approved by the Cannabis Control Board.
Link for a Lockbag: NYC residents will now be able to get information on the licensed dispensaries on their neighborhood LinkNYC kiosk. NYC residents, show us how you’re supporting #NYcannabis and snap a picture with the kiosk for a chance to win a lockbag by Thursday, May 2.

Rollin’ Into The Month:
Things You Need to Know About the FY25 Budget

Expanded Enforcement Powers for OCM:
- Padlocking: The Office can immediately padlock an unlicensed business following an inspection, if the inspection reveals the selling of illicit cannabis and an imminent threat to health and safety. Removing or damaging a padlock will result in a Class A misdemeanor charge for obstructing governmental administration.
- Expanded authority for counties and cities: County and city governments can adopt their own laws to regulate and padlock unlicensed cannabis businesses.
- Enhanced penalties for landlords of illicit cannabis businesses: Landlords who rent out space to a business that is at least customarily or habitually engaged in selling cannabis without a license will be subject to penalties increased to:
  - 5X the rent from the time the landlord was notified of the violation, outside of New York City
  - A fine of $50,000 for any landlord notified of the violation in NYC

Enforcement Task Force: Governor Hochul announced the approval and launch of a statewide Task Force focused on civil NOT criminal enforcement to shut down illicit stores selling cannabis products. The Task Force will be a coordination among OCM, key state agencies, and county and local governments.
Tax Updates: The THC potency tax on cannabis has been replaced with a 9% wholesale tax and the medical excise tax on cannabis has been reduced from 7% to 3.5%.

What Can I Do to Help New York State Close Illicit Cannabis Shops? To report suspected violations, visit New York Cannabis Incident Reporting Include details like business name, time and location of activity, photos, any previous police contact, and proximity to sensitive locations. Provide your contact information for any follow-up questions.

Looking to dive into the detail of this statewide initiative on the illicit market? Get the scoop here.

NYS CannaCareer Plug:
#NYcannabis Careers

OCM Career Opportunities: OCM continues to recruitment for multiple roles within the agency. Find out how to join our team today!
Department of Labor’s CEED Unit: The Cannabis Employment and Education Development (CEED) Unit supports job seekers, workers, and businesses exploring pathways into the cannabis industry. For an overview of potential careers in cannabis, visit CEED’s Career Exploration page. There you will find job summaries and sample job descriptions covering roles in cultivation, distribution, product manufacturing, retail sales, and lab testing. Also, there is information to help you understand ancillary positions supporting the industry.

Discover cannabis-specific majors, minors, micro-credentials, certificates, and various courses available through SUNY, CUNY, and private institutions conveniently accessible through CEED’s Cannabis Education page. For more information, reach out to [email protected].

Bud Safety Matters: Health & Safety

OCM’s cannabis consumption resources are crucial for safer habits and to maintain public health and safety. Check out some resources and guidelines to ensure you can purchase and consume safer and tested cannabis products:

What happens if you over consume? Don’t worry, we have helpful tips here!
Consumer Safety Resources: Whether you’re a daily consumer or canna-curious, check out The Guide to Safer Consumption for more information for adults on how to stay safe when consuming cannabis.

Dispensary Verification Tool: To make sure you are purchasing cannabis from a licensed dispensary, look for the Dispensary Verification Tool. All licensed dispensaries are issued a Dispensary Verification Tool which is posted in the storefront. Scan the QR code to be directed to OCM’s website with a list of all licensed cannabis dispensaries to verify that the store you are visiting is included.

Use the Incident Reporting Form to report an adverse event, concern about a cannabis business, or concern regarding a cannabis product to the Office of Cannabis Management.

Report an Incident

Seek immediate medical attention or advice if you are currently experiencing a serious or troublesome cannabis-related symptom(s). Call your healthcare provider or the Poison Center at 1(800)222-1222.

Nuggets of Wisdom:
Industry Trends & Development

#NYcannabis provides an opportunity for all New Yorkers to participate. It’s a market that champions community, equity, and small business development, but don’t take our word for it. Check the numbers.

April Market Update Part 2

Community Compass:
Municipalities & Community Boards Matter

The “Community Compass” is your go-to source for the latest in local government and community board activities, keeping you informed and engaged with what’s happening with municipalities and community boards.

NYS 2025 Budget: County and city governments can adopt their own laws to regulate and padlock unlicensed cannabis businesses, so long as the law meets the following requirements:
- Ensure consistent enforcement and procedures to conduct inspections, hearings, and padlocking businesses that mirror OCM’s
- Designate a point of contact to coordinate with OCM to report on enforcement activities
- Require hearings in City or County courts within 3 days of emergency padlocking and a court decision within 4 days after the hearing, for locations that were padlocked at first inspection due to imminent threat to health and safety

County and city governments can initiate emergency proceedings with orders to cease illicit activity against both businesses and landlords using Section 16-a of the Cannabis Law with the option to collect penalties in those proceedings.

What Can I Do to Help New York State Close Illegal Cannabis Shops? To report suspected violations, visit New York Cannabis Incident Reporting. Include details like business name, time and location of activity, photos, any previous police contact, and proximity to sensitive locations. Provide your contact information for any follow-up questions.
Finding Licensed Dispensaries is easier than ever! Verify dispensary locations through New York Cannabis Dispensary Location Verification.
What Do I Tell Adult-Use Applicants In My Community? Municipalities and Local Governments can view the OCM website to learn more about their role in the licensing process.
- How to submit a proposed retail dispensary for provisional licensees?

Upcoming Events

The OCM is still on the road, continuing the community awareness campaign and traveling across the state to empower and encourage communities to get involved with the medical cannabis program and the #NYcannabis workforce.

Thu, May 16th: Bronx Chamber of Commerce Business Resource Fair at Yankee Stadium – https://www.bronxchamber.org/

Tue, May 21st: Grant Readiness Tour: Get Ready Get Set in Brooklyn – https://bit.ly/ocmgrantbklyn

Wed, May 22nd: Cannabis as Medicine / Senior Life Planning Symposium in Oceanside –https://bit.ly/medicaloceanside

Thu, May 23rd: Budding Opportunities in Harlem – https://bit.ly/ocmharlem

Wed, May 29th: Grant Readiness Tour: Get Ready Get Set in Ithaca – https://bit.ly/ocmgrantithaca

See All Future Events