September 12, 2023: New York’s cannabis market got a jump start at this morning’s meeting of the state’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB). The CCB approved final cannabis business regulations, and confirmed that the window to accept cannabis business license applications will open on October 4, 2023, following which applicants will have 60 days to submit applications. The first applications will be for the following license types: (1) Cultivator; (2) Processor; (3) Distributor; (4) Microbusiness; and (5) Retail Dispensary, with assurance by the CCB that applications for additional license types “will follow soon after.” New York’s medical cannabis providers, known as Registered Organizations, are now eligible to apply for these licenses in the adult-use market. Adult-Use Conditional Cultivator and Processor license holders in good standing will also be able to transition to non-conditional licenses through submission of forms once the portal opens.
The CCB and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) have also approved final regulations, which can be found here: NYS ADULT REGS. The approved sample for the application may be found here: ADULT USE MOCK APPLICATION. It’s a lot to digest (428 pages combined), but we’re already preparing to finalize application materials for many applicants who have gotten ahead of the curve by working with us on strategy and submissions.
Applicants who have already secured locations have a chance to be reviewed on a faster track. The OCM will begin reviewing submissions for those with location approval 30 days from when the application period starts. The application for the other license types listed above, including for a retail dispensary, will remain open for 60 days from when the portal opens in early October.
If you’re interested in applying, it’s not too late. We’re ready with legal strategy and documentation to assist you at every step, from forming your company to submitting your cannabis license application to getting and keeping your business open and rule-compliant to helping plan your long-term growth and exit strategies. The window for these initial licenses will open on October 4th, and will stay open for 60 days so there’s enough time to be one of the first-round general license applicants if you get started now.
For more information about obtaining cannabis licenses in New York, please contact David Holland, James K. Landau, Andrew Schriever, Mike Ross, John Bradley, or any other member of the Prince Lobel Cannabis Team.
With thanks to Alexander Hymowitz for his work on this Client Alert.
