At its meeting this week in Albany, the New York State Cannabis Control Board approved the highest number of licenses at a single meeting to date: 141 adult-use cannabis licenses across the cannabis supply chain, including microbusinesses, cultivators, processors, distributors, and adult-use retail dispensaries. The Board has issued 1,132 licenses to date.
The 141 licenses include:
Adult-Use Cultivator License:15
Adult-Use Distributor License: 16
Adult-Use Microbusiness License: 12
Adult-Use Processor License: 71
Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License: 27
13 out of the 141 are transitioning conditional cultivators or conditional processors.
“This is an exciting moment for New York’s cannabis industry as we continue to see tremendous growth in both entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Tremaine Wright, Chairperson of the CCB. “With over 1,000 licenses issued this year alone, we’re creating an environment that not only encourages business development but also allows for a diverse array of products and services to emerge, reflecting the rich tapestry of our communities.”
Board Member Transitions and New Appointments
During this week’s meeting, the Board expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Adam Perry for his three years of dedicated service as an inaugural member of the CCB. Members acknowledged his contributions and commitment to the Board’s mission and extended their best wishes for his future endeavors. The meeting also welcomed Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, who will be stepping into the role as the newest Board member. Crystal, an attorney and leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. A Buffalo native, she brings extensive experience from her previous roles in government, higher education, and healthcare. Her passion for health equity and community impact will be an asset to the Board as it continues to support the growth and regulation of New York’s cannabis industry.
Office Gives Updated on the implementation of the recommendations made in the 2024 OGS Report
The OCM provided an update on the implementation of a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) licensing review model, following recommendations from the NYS Office of General Services’ Spring 2024 assessment. This new approach streamlines and centralizes the licensing process, enhancing communication and providing applicants with a clear point of contact throughout the review. By consolidating all license review functions under OCM’s licensing team, the SPOC model eliminates the previous multi-team system, ensuring applicants have a dedicated examiner to guide them through the process from start to finish. Additionally, the Office shared recent updates on the staffing numbers at OCM which now has over 200 FTEs and a projection to near 245 FTEs by the end of the year.
Board Approves Additional Registered Organizations To Expand Patient Access
The CCB approved three new Registered Organizations (ROs) to expand access within the Medical Cannabis Program. This decision aligns with Section 35(9) of the Cannabis Law, which calls for providing services to unserved and underserved areas while promoting racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. Since the initial approval of the application in September 2023, the Office has diligently reviewed applications to ensure compliance with regulations, including submission of a Community Impact Plan, and Energy and Environmental Plan. The inclusion of these ROs will expand patient access and service, helping New Yorkers obtain the care they need while strengthening the support network for underserved areas across the state.
Market and Social Economic Equity Update: New York’s Growing Cannabis Industry
New York’s cannabis market continues to demonstrate robust growth, with weekly sales increasing by $10 million since May, bringing the total sales since the market launched to nearly $700 million. In the third quarter alone, sales nearly reached a quarter billion dollars highlighting the accelerating pace of the industry’s expansion.
A key driver of this success is OCM’s Social and Economic Equity (SEE) program, which continues to center diversity, inclusivity, and opportunity within the industry. Analysis of overall retail dispensary licensing, including today’s newly issued adult-use retail dispensary licenses, reveals that 82% are SEE-owned businesses.
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