New York approves first batch of cannabis cultivation licenses

Regulators in New York on Thursday approved dozens of cannabis cultivation licenses as part of the Empire State’s upcoming recreational cannabis program.

The New York Cannabis Control Board said it had signed “the first 52 adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses for farms statewide.”

“The first cannabis product on pharmacy shelves will come from NY’s hardworking family farmers, not out-of-state companies,” the board announced on Twitter.

Political leaders in New York heralded the announcement as a major step toward the state’s intended launch of retail cannabis sales later this year.

“New York farms have been the backbone of our state’s economy since before the American Revolution, and now New York farms will be at the center of the nation’s most equitable cannabis industry,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement . “I’m proud to announce the first adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses in the state, and I’m proud of the work that the Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board are doing to improve the sale of adult-use cannabis up and running as quickly as possible without jeopardizing our mission to help communities and individuals hardest hit by cannabis prohibition over the past century.”

Last month, Hochul announced the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, which mandates that the first 100-200 recreational pharmacy licenses in New York go to individuals who have had prior cannabis-related convictions or whose family members have such convictions.

As part of the initiative, New York farmers who already grow hemp were given their first look at growing cannabis for the adult market.

“Farmers must adhere to quality assurance, health and safety requirements developed by the [Office of Cannabis Management]’ explained Hochul’s office in the announcement of the initiative. “They must also participate in sustainability and equity mentoring programs that will help build the first generation of cannabis owners across the supply chain. These conditional licenses allow growers to grow cannabis in the 2022 growing season.”

New York Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said Thursday that “the approval of the first 52 provisional cultivation licenses will help ensure a responsible start to the… [New York state] cannabis industry by enabling growers to produce enough product and inventory for social justice retail spending to meet the initial demand of the anticipated legal market.”

“We are on track to fulfill our goal of creating a viable and inclusive path for minority and smallholder farmers to have the opportunity to create generational wealth for their families and communities. I am proud of the work done by the NYS Office of Cannabis Management and Cannabis Control Board to date and look forward to our actions bearing fruit,” Peoples-Stokes said in a statement.

New York legalized recreational cannabis use last year when then-Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law.

But the regulated market was slow to take shape under Cuomo, who resigned in August amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Since taking office as the state’s first female governor, Hochul has been determined to get the adult-use program up and running.

In September, she completed overdue appointments in the Office of Cannabis Management.

“The cannabis industry in New York has stalled for far too long – I’m making important appointments to get the Office of Cannabis Management on track for success, so it can hit the ground running,” Hochul said in a statement at the time.

Officials in New York are hoping that recreational cannabis sales will begin later this year. Until then, New Yorkers can always cross the bridge into New Jersey, where adult dispensaries are slated to open next week.