New York approves its first Rec cultivation licenses

This week, New York took a big step toward rolling out its recreational marijuana program.

On Thursday, April 14, the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) voted to grant conditional cannabis cultivation licenses to 52 existing hemp farms in New York. The licenses will allow these local companies to capitalize on the 2022 growth season and gain a foothold in the market before larger state operators — including the state’s existing medical providers, including MedMen and Curaleaf — can get in the Rec game. The licenses are valid for two years.

The CCB also approved a revised set of proposed medicinal home-grow regulations: If approved, the regulations would allow patients to grow plants outside their homes and grow six plants (but only three mature plants). These regulations require a 45-day public comment period before the CCB can finalize them.

“This was a big win for small businesses. This was also a huge win for local New Yorkers,” Ryan Lepore — a member of the board of directors of Empire State NORML and co-founder and former director of NYC NORML — told Leafly.

Take advantage of the 2022 growing season

These initial licenses will allow New York farmers to plant and harvest their first crop before the end of 2022.

“We have a tight time window here. Most people grow cannabis in our area in May and June,” Allan Gandelman, hemp breeder and president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association, told the Associated Press. Gandelman himself received a license.

Licenses only allow each farm to grow one hectare of cannabis outdoors, or just over half of that in a greenhouse.

Farmers could start sowing their crops in a month once they submit a security plan.

The CCB has received around 150 applications for cultivation licenses and plans to accept more on an ongoing basis.

Related

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When does the sale start?

Even though neighboring New Jersey is superior to New York and will begin adult sales on April 21, New York won’t be far behind. They hope to start Rec sales by the end of 2022.

In an unprecedented move, New York will give its first 100 retail licenses to people affected by the War on Drugs and will provide those businesses with a total of $200 million to help offset real estate costs.

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New York governor Hochul wants victims of the drug war to open their first legal pharmacies

According to a press release from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), the application period for these priority licenses begins this summer.

The state’s cannabis board is also exploring innovative ways to bring more money and opportunity into the space.

The state expects to begin distributing licenses in late summer or early fall.

Max Savage Levenson

Max Savage Levenson probably has the lowest cannabis tolerance of any author on the cannabis beat. He also writes about music for Pitchfork, Bandcamp and other bespectacled people. He is the co-host of the Hash podcast. His dream interview is Tyler the Creator.

Check out Max Savage Levenson’s articles

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