New York Cannabis Control Board

July 21, 2022 by Hugh H. Jacobson

New York Cannabis Control Board Meeting, July 14, 2022

On July 14, 2022 the New York Cannabis Control Board (the “Board”) met to consider a variety of topics. Most importantly, the Board approved the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Regulations and the online application for a retail dispensary license.

The initial focus of the meeting was on the approval of proposed Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Regulations. (Generally referred to in the meeting as the “CAURD Regulations”.) The Senior Policy Director of the New York Office of Cannabis Management noted that the CAURD Regulations were designed to provide retail dispensary licenses to applicants who met two eligibility requirements. First, the applicant (or family member) must have had a cannabis related legal offense that occurred prior to the passage of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act on March 31, 2021. Second, the applicant must have experience owning and operating a qualifying business. The Board unanimously approved the CAURD Regulations. The Senior Policy Director also provided a form of online application for a retail dispensary license. This sample form fleshes out the CAURD Regulations. The Board unanimously approved the sample form of application. The Board also ordered that a new application period for adult-use retail dispensaries licenses open and close on dates established by the Office of Cannabis Management. The Board did not indicate when the actual application would be made available for filing but notice of the application window must be posted on the Office of Cannabis Management’s website no less than 14 days before the application window opens and the application window must last at least 30 days. Continue reading “New York Cannabis Control Board Meeting, July 14, 2022”

November 10, 2021 by Deanna J. Lucci

New York Cannabis Chief Reiterates Social Equity Focus in Speech at Cannabis Trade Show

Tremaine Wright delivered her first public speech since being appointed Chair of the New York State Cannabis Control Board at the CWCBExpo (Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition) at the Javits Center on November 4. Wright leads the five-member board charged with approving a regulatory framework for New York’s cannabis industry and will oversee licensing of cannabis businesses. In her remarks before 400 people at the business-to-business cannabis industry trade show, Wright reiterated that New York will support social equity licenses for people from communities historically affected by the War on Drugs. “We’re about to create the most equitable cannabis program in the country,” she said. Wright also said that New York will prevent social equity licenses from being sold to large companies by requiring that they be sold to other social equity licensees. However, the regulations are currently being written and there are few details about how the state will help social equity applicants raise capital to start cannabis businesses. Wright also said that all license applicants will be required to share their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) frameworks to operate in the state. The Board has a goal of issuing licenses within 18 months. Members of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management were also in attendance at the Expo.

October 11, 2021October 12, 2021 by Michael D. Schwamm

Notes from New York Cannabis Control Board Meeting, October 2021

By Michael D. Schwamm and Joy Karugu

There were several outcomes of the inaugural New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) Meeting held on October 5, 2021. The Meeting revealed that the CCB and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will be increasing their staff and taking steps to extend the medical cannabis program and cannabinoid hemp licensing. Also during the Meeting, Jason Starr was announced and voted in as the Chief Equity Officer of the OCM. He will work with Executive Director Chris Alexander in building New York’s social equity program. Continue reading “Notes from New York Cannabis Control Board Meeting, October 2021”