New York retail edition licenses announced

The New York City Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced its final list of applicants who will be granted the state’s first retail cannabis licenses. On November 20, 36 applicants were announced, chosen from a pool of 903 applicants.

“BREAKING: In a historic decision, the #NYCCB has approved the first round of CAURD [Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary] licensee. 28 people dedicated to justice and 8 nonprofits will make the first adult sales by New York farmers, bringing countless opportunities to our communities. #NYCCB,” the OCM wrote on Twitter on Nov. 21. Regions with the most CAURD licenses include Manhattan (22), Long Islands (20), Brooklyn (19), Mid-Hudson (19), and Queens (16).

According to The New York Times, a majority of the finalists belong to people who have previously been convicted of a cannabis crime, or have a close family member who has been convicted. There are eight nonprofit organizations (such as Housing Works, The Doe Fund, and LIFE Camp) that are also included in the final list.

In addition to announcing the finalists, the OCM also released a 282-page document detailing the state’s draft regulations. “The #NYCCB voted to advance OCM’s largest regulatory package for adult-use cannabis since the MRTA [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act] released for public comment. These regulations are designed to establish rules for a safe, fair, consumer-centric marketplace that focuses on small businesses,” the agency wrote, inviting the public to send comments to Regulations@ocm.ny.gov (which will be open for 60 days). send. .

The OCM has previously stated that it plans to open some retail pharmacies before the end of 2022. “We are pleased to issue the first cannabis licenses for adult use today,” said OCM spokeswoman Trivette Knowles. “New York is poised for the sale of adult-use cannabis, and we are still working toward the goal of having first sales begin this calendar year.” Ultimately, an estimated 150 retail licenses are expected to be awarded statewide.

This expectation also aligns with an earlier statement by New York Governor Kathy Hochul in October. “We expect the first 20 pharmacies to be open by the end of this year,” Hochul said. “And then about 20 more every month. So we’re not just going to throw it out like that. It will work and be successful.”

Recent reports state that New York has harvested and stockpiled over $750 million worth of cannabis, but is going nowhere without licensed dispensaries to sell it.

According to Melany Dobson, CEO of Hudson Cannabis Farm in New York, they were just waiting for the OCM to give the green light for license approval. “It’s an unclear path to market. We’ve been told time and time again that pharmacies will open before the end of the year,” Dobson told Bloomberg. “I pretended this was our only source of evidence, so we’re prepared for that.”

Cannabis begins to deteriorate as it begins to age, both in color and quality. “Old cannabis starts to glow brown,” explained Dobson. While Hudson Cannabis operations allow cannabis to be stored for around 12 months to prevent degradation, other farms may not be able to preserve their cannabis long before it becomes unusable.

A judge recently issued an injunction preventing New York regulators from issuing retail licenses in five of the state’s regions. According to a statement by David C. Holland, a partner at the law firm Prince Lobel, this injunction could be extended to other areas of New York. “This could have broader implications across the state, as 14 New York regions have been imposed the same state-specific contact and sentencing requirements intended for the establishment of a CAURD dispensary, which may have prevented those involved in the justice system from other states due to.” refrain from applying for a conditional license as part of the state’s efforts to protect and promote its burgeoning cannabis industry,” Holland said.