Let it grow: New York approves first 19 adult processor licenses, plus more growers

At the cannabis board’s most recent meeting, a new board member was unveiled along with a handful of conditional license winners as all parties strive to introduce adult use before 2023.

Adult cannabis sales in New York are nearing reality.

On Monday (August 15), the New York City Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) approved a number of new licenses, including new grower licenses, the first conditional processor licenses, and emergency lab testing regulations.

The board also elected the first director of policy after announcing last week that the application window for conditional pharmacy retail licenses will open on August 25.

Related

How to Apply for a New York Pharmacy License

The August 15 meeting of the New York Cannabis Control Board proceeded swiftly, with proposals for the above licenses being approved with minimal opposition. The OCM initially approved 19 additional conditional smallholder cultivation licenses out of over 300 applications, bringing the total to 242. Executive Director Chris Alexander said the Cannabis board has “seen an outstanding product that will shortly be coming online for New York”.

Along with the cultivation came the first conditional processing licenses, which, according to Alexander, entitle the holders “to take the plant material grown by New York smallholders and make products, from edibles to tinctures, and additionally distribute those products to retailers.” Fifteen applicants were admitted; the application window ends on August 31, 2022.

As Leafly previously reported, the initial retail licenses will go to equity applicants, many of whom may lack the resources and industry connections to otherwise enter the industry. The application window opens on August 25 and will remain available until September 26, 2022, according to a press release. The OCM will continue to host “Get Ready, Get Set” workshops in upstate New York to help potential applicants.

All of these license approvals streamline the supply chain for the expected start of recreational cannabis sales, which could begin as early as late 2022.

A new director joins the board

To improve the viability of this schedule, the Board members elected John Kagia as the new Director of Policy. Kagia was currently New Frontier Data’s chief knowledge officer, but his role on the board will see him shape the state’s upcoming market. Kagia has worked as a legal cannabis analyst since 2015, moderating panels on legislation and policy and contributing to publications such as High Times.

“What I see in this nominee who honored him and led to his recommendation is someone who understands where New York’s market will lie in the larger landscape of the cannabis industry,” Alexander said.

To further expedite the process, emergency regulations for labs and testing firms have been approved to start an application window and allow the bureau to issue conditional licenses immediately. The proposed regulations have only closed their open comment window and are therefore not ready for approval.

Related

New York’s omission disaster hurts confidence in the state’s legal weed plans

Applications for pharmacies, laboratories and sampling companies are available on the OCM licensing website. The public comment period for medicinal and home growing, which is not currently allowed, has ended and will be discussed at a future board meeting.

“The future is bringing our industry here,” said board member Jen Metzger.

Amelie Williams

New York-based freelance cannabis journalist Amelia Williams is a graduate of San Francisco State University’s journalism program and a former budtender. Williams has contributed to GreenState, MG Magazine, Culture Magazine and Cannabis Now, Kirkus Reviews and The Bold Italic of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Check out Amelia Williams’ articles

By submitting this form, you are subscribing to Leafly news and promotional emails and agreeing to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe from Leafly email communications at any time.