Latest NY OCM Update Emphasizes Equity Issues

Here at the Office of Cannabis Management, we’re all about keeping our roots firmly planted in our mission for equity, required by the MRTA blueprint. We’ve been busy bees: rolling out new draft adult-use home grow regulations, expanding licensing to make sure our budding market is accessible to a diverse group of entrepreneurs, and sharing market updates for New Yorkers to understand who we are from seed to current bloom. 

We invite you to dive into the HIGHlights of this month: 

• Cannabis Control Board (#NYCCB) February 16th Meeting Recap:
  • AU Licenses Awarded – A Look at the Stats: The #NYCCB approved the first round of adult-use cannabis licenses from the 2023 licensing applications.
    • In total, 109 licenses have been issued; within this group, 38 are new retail dispensary licenses, along with the first 26 microbusiness licenses. 
    • Equity in Bloom: Over 66% of all adult-use (AU) licenses issued have been awarded to social and economic equity-owned businesses.
    • Veteran Spotlight: 14% of the licenses were allocated to service-disabled veterans.
    • Supporting Conditional Licensees: 45% of licenses awarded to transitioning entities went to conditional growers and processors, including farms owned by 10 women in New York.
  • Cannabis Research Licenses: 
    • The #NYCCB has approved the first two cannabis research licenses in the State. The Office encourages studies that research the chemical composition, agricultural production, and therapeutic benefits of cannabis.
    • How to Apply: For those interested in applying for a cannabis research license, visit https://cannabis.ny.gov/research for more information. Need assistance with your research application? Email [email protected].
• Landmark Dispensary Openings: OCM Celebrates the Opening of Over 75 Adult-Use (AU) Dispensaries  
  • OCM celebrated landmark openings: 
    • 50th adult-use brick-and-mortar dispensary: Brownies in Colonie, NY, a Black, woman, veteran, and family-owned dispensary.
    • 75th adult-use dispensary: Silk Road in Jamaica Queens, a family-owned dispensary.
  • Exploring Black-Owned Dispensaries: In celebration of Black History Month, our partners at Our Academy curated a guide to Black-owned dispensaries across New York. Experience the vibrant and unique contributions Black entrepreneurs have made to the #NYcannabis landscape by visiting one today.  
• Engaging Dialogues: Voices from the Cannabis Community 
  • Explore our medical cannabis program through our series of engaging dialogues, starting with real-life stories in our Certified Patient Live session, insightful conversations with healthcare providers, and an educational presentation by Dr. Weinberg to clinicians. These sessions provide valuable insights and learning opportunities. Tune in to hear patient stories and provider experiences.
• Cannabis Advisory Board (#NYCAB) February 27th Meeting Recap: 
  • With New York topping $180 million in total cannabis sales in 2023, the CAB will soon be able to begin issuing these grants from the CGR Fund to community-based nonprofits and local governments. This week’s Community Grants Reinvestment Subcommittee meeting furthered the discussion of how the CAB will decide who to issue these grants to.
  • Building on this momentum, the CAB has proposed a tentative timeline to establish goals for the implementation and distribution of the first funds in the CGR Fund:    
    • Mid-April: Public announcement of the CGR Fund opportunity and anticipated release date for the Request for Applications (RFA). Those interested in learning more about this opportunity shall register with the New York State Contract Reporter to receive updated notifications on available opportunities. Nonprofit organizations must also be prequalified to receive awards and may visit grantsmanagement.ny.gov/get-prequalified to learn more about registering early. 
    • Early June: Goal to release the RFA, allowing applicants to start the application process.
    • October 1st: Projected deadline for applicants to submit their applications.
    • November/December: Anticipated announcement of the awardees, culminating the selection process for community-based nonprofits and local governments. 

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

• Updated Medical Cannabis Resources: Dive into our newly updated materials, including new informative brochures for: Patients, Practitioners, Older Adults and the latest medical product form. These resources are designed to assist New Yorkers with understanding medical cannabis and how to engage with the program. 
• Consumer Safety Resources: Whether you’re a daily consumer or canna-curious, check out the guide to safer consumption for a 101 that will empower and educate our communities.