Latest Updates From The New Improved & Efficient NY OCM!

Greetings New Yorkers, 

Every day OCM is working to cultivate an equitable cannabis market across the state. With the framework of the MRTA, New York has expanded access in licensing, access to the plant through home grow, and access to economic opportunities. This month, OCM is sharing the high points of this progress and the groundwork done to ensure better outcomes for the future of New York communities.

Key Updates:

• New Leadership: Announcing the Interim ED – Felicia A.B. Reid, the new Executive Deputy Director and Interim Executive Director, joined OCM in June. Learn more about Interim ED Reid here.
• Growth in Adult-Use License Diversity, A Snapshot of Progress: 54% of adult-use licenses across the supply chain are Social and Economic Equity (SEE) Owned. This highlights New York’s unwavering commitment to foster diversity while continuing to support underrepresented groups within the cannabis industry. This vibrant and inclusive growth in New York’s cannabis landscape sets the foundation for an evolving, fair, equitable, and thriving industry for all New Yorkers. Here’s the breakdown:
  •  – 39% women-owned
  •  – 39% minority-owned
  •  – 9% service-disabled veterans
  •  – 8% distressed farmers
  •  – 6% CDI (Communities Disproportionately Impacted)
• Cannabis Control Board (#NYCCB) June 11th Meeting Recap:  
  • AU Licenses Awarded – A Look at the Stats: The #NYCCB approved another round of adult-use cannabis licenses from the 2023 licensing applications.
    • In total, 105 licenses have been issued; within this group, 17 are new retail dispensary licenses, along with the first 22 micro-business licenses.
    • Thriving In Equity: 54% of all adult-use (AU) licenses are held by Social and Economic Equity (SEE) identifying businesses.
    • Veteran Spotlight: 7% of the licenses are held by service-disabled veterans.
    • Conditional Licensee Spotlight: 43% of licenses have been awarded to transitioning growers and processors. 
  • Home Grow Is Here: The #NYCCB approved regulations for Adults 21+ to grow up to three mature and three immature plants at any one time, with up to 12 cannabis plants per household. This initiative encourages plant autonomy for green thumbed consumers. This OCM resource will help New Yorkers understand the guidelines to safe and legal cultivation: Home Cultivation Overview 
    • Where to Start: Dispensaries and micro-businesses, licensed by the Office of Cannabis Management and who possess a certificate of registration from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, can sell seeds and young plants, strengthening community engagement and cannabis cultivation knowledge. 
  • Shutting Down Illicit Shops: As of June, OCM in conjunction with local law enforcement has padlocked over 400 illicit cannabis shops across New York State. This swift action is part of OCM’s efforts to support the legal market and protect public health and safety.
  • Tax Transformation: OCM heard your feedback and in partnership with Governor Hochul and the Legislature, rolled out an updated cannabis tax structure. As of June 1, the THC tax has been repealed, leaving just three adult-use cannabis taxes to be considered at the checkout:
    • State Tax (9%): Imposed at the point of sale to a consumer.
    • Wholesale Tax (9%): Imposed on the sale of cannabis products by a distributor to a retail dispensary. This tax is applied differently for micro-business or a Registered Organization with Dispensing (ROD) that are vertically integrated licenses. The 9% excise tax is imposed on 75% of the final retail price offered to the cannabis consumer.
    • Local Tax (4%): Keeps cash local, funding projects in local villages, towns, cities, or counties.
    • Tax Distribution: The 9% state tax and the 9% wholesale tax both send their revenues to the State Cannabis Revenue Fund which supports education, drug treatment programs, and community investments statewide.
    • In addition to the changes above for adult-use cannabis taxes, the excise tax on medical cannabis was reduced from 7% to 3.15%. 
    • Take an in-depth look into where #NYCannabis tax dollars go here!

•  Home Cultivation is Now Legal for Adults 21+: Adults aged 21 and older can now legally grow cannabis at home. This OCM resource will help New Yorkers understand the guidelines to safe and legal cultivation: Home Cultivation Overview 

•  Medical Survey Report Released: OCM solicited feedback on the medical cannabis program from certified practitioners and registered patients. Here’s what they had to say. Read the full report here. Since 2016, more than 4,000 certified healthcare providers have helped patients looking for relief from pain, nausea, and other conditions with the NYS Medical Cannabis Program. If you’re interested in becoming a certified patient or you’re a practitioner interested in certifying patients, visit cannabis.ny.gov/medical
•  New York State’s First Medical Cannabis Symposium: On Friday, September 20th, the Office is partnering with Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center to host healthcare professionals in the medical cannabis program and those curious about getting involved. Attendees can expect to discuss the science of cannabis, therapeutic benefits, societal and health impacts, patient care, and more. Those interested in submitting an abstract for a poster and/or oral presentation must do so by July 8th at https://www.roswellpark.org/medcan2024.

NYS Department of Labor’s (DOL) Services for Cannabis Businesses

• The NYS DOL Cannabis Employment & Education Development Unit: Assisting NYS cannabis businesses is an important part of what the Department of Labor does to support the emerging industry. Across the State, the DOL is available to provide businesses assistance with HR, labor relations, hiring, and safety and health assistance at no-cost.
• Virtual Career Center: Businesses can also use the Virtual Career Center, a job posting and talent sourcing platform that uses advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to connect businesses to candidates. The platform provides businesses the ability to communicate with potential candidates throughout every step of the recruiting process from posting jobs to reviewing applicant’s resumes and skills, all in one place. Recruiting candidates is fast, easy and no cost to licensees.

The Department of Labor is here to help connect you with resources and assist you every step of the way. Reach out to the CEED team at [email protected] for personal support and guidance.

OCM is Hiring: Check out open positions and apply where you see fit!

• Business Systems Analyst 2, G23 – Data and Systems (Albany) – [Non-Competitive via HELPS] – Applications due 6/27 

 Cannabis Chronicles:
Policies for the People to Know 

On June 8th, the NYS Legislative Session concluded with several significant cannabis initiatives passed in the FY25 Executive Budget, including enhanced enforcement powers for OCM and local governments, the repeal of the THC potency tax replaced by a 9% wholesale tax, and a reduction of the Medical Excise Tax from 7% to 3.15%. Alongside these, numerous other cannabis bills were considered by the Senate and Assembly, totaling 94 bills. NOTE: Bills not signed into law by 12/31/2024 will be reintroduced in the next legislative cycle starting in 2025.

Here’s a summary of a few legislative proposals and the status as of June 8th:

 S.9679-A (Hinchey)/A.10398-A (Lupardo)
Current Bill Status: Passed in both Houses of the Legislature.

Overview: Authorizes the Cannabis Control Board to issue a cannabis event permit to certain licensees authorized to conduct retail sales of adult-use cannabis and cannabis products.

 S.1752 (Hinchey)/A.1234 (Lupardo)
Current Bill Status: Passed in both Houses of the Legislature.

Overview: Expands the definition of crops, livestock, and livestock products to include cannabis.

 S.9359 (Cooney)/A.10196 (Lupardo)
Current Bill Status: Passed in both Houses of the Legislature.

Overview: Authorizes distributors of cannabis products to annually file electronic returns.

OCM’s consumer resources are essential for understanding safer, more responsible consumption habits that help protect public health and safety. Check out the resource below to learn more about safer consumption, including the importance of only consuming safer and tested cannabis products from a licensed dispensary:

• The Guide to Safer Consumption: Whether you’re a daily consumer or canna-curious, check out The Guide to Safer Consumption for more information on how to stay safer when consuming cannabis.