Hochul announces 105 additional cannabis adult-use licenses

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced that the New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) took substantial steps to advance the state’s cannabis regulatory framework during this month’s board meeting, addressing several key topics: license approvals, market updates, home grow regulations and enforcement updates.

The governor disclosed that the CCB authorized the issuance of 105 varied adult-use cannabis licenses spanning the supply chain, encompassing microbusinesses, cultivators, processors, distributors and retail dispensaries.

Hochul said this move paves the way for entrepreneurs and businesses to enter the budding adult-use cannabis market, driving economic growth and fostering innovation.

“New York is building a robust and equitable legal market that is driving significant economic growth within our communities,” she said. “The issuance of 105 additional adult-use licenses is just the next step in developing the nation-leading industry New Yorkers expect and deserve.”

The breakdown of the 105 license types approved today includes: Adult-Use Cultivator License: 25; Adult-Use Distributor License: 22; Adult-Use Microbusiness License: 22; Adult-Use Processor License: 19; Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License: 17; 45 out of the 105 are transitioning AUCC or AUCPs.

In addition to issuing licenses, Hochul said the Control Board approved a resolution to adopt regulations for the personal home cultivation of cannabis, enabling adults aged 21 and older in New York State to cultivate cannabis at home.

The governor said licensed entities like dispensaries and microbusinesses can sell seeds and immature cannabis plants to consumers.

“This significant development empowers New Yorkers who wish to participate in the adult-use cannabis market by providing them with the autonomy to cultivate their own cannabis plants,” she said. “Home cultivation offers a cost-effective and accessible option for personal use, ensuring that individuals have control over the quality and strain of cannabis they consume.

“It also promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation of the cultivation process, fostering a more informed and engaged community of cannabis consumers in New York State,” the governor added.

She said amendments underwent a 60-day public comment period, and that the CCB voted to adopt the regulations and make them effective at the Jun. 11, 2024 Board meeting.

The governor said the CCB also continued the work of issuing denials to 100 applications at the board meeting.

She said these applications either did not meet the eligibility for licensure or had already been issued an adult-use cannabis license from another application.

“We continue to prioritize our market’s expansion, and commitment to our nation-leading cannabis market, by providing New Yorkers with a wide range of choice and opportunity to participate,” said Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright. “Today’s license approvals, and the introduction of home cultivation brings us one step closer to setting a new standard that centers growth, equity and safety.”

To date, there are over 132 dispensaries open for business across the Empire State, Hochul said.

On Monday, the governor announced three new leadership appointments at the Office of Cannabis Management, part of a sweeping operational overhaul of the agency launched last month.

These appointments, including Felicia A. B. Reid as executive deputy director and acting executive director, put in place a leadership team that will implement changes to end the bottleneck of license applicants, improve communication with applicants and licensees, and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to the social equity goals codified in the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

“I’m committed to ensuring New York’s nation-leading cannabis market continues to thrive,” Gov. Hochul said. “With these new appointees, the Office of Cannabis Management will continue to focus on expanding the most equitable adult-use market in the nation while cracking down on illicit storefronts.”

The governor also announced a nationwide search for a permanent executive director of OCM to lead the agency as it works to grow and support the nation’s most diverse and equitable legal cannabis marketplace.

She said her Appointments Office will work with an experienced recruitment firm to identify qualified candidates from across the state and the country.

“I am excited to work with everyone at OCM and our partners statewide to expand upon the agency’s work, build best internal and external practices, and focus on making New York’s cannabis industry one that meets the needs of small businesses and consumers,” Reid said. “Cannabis is an enormous opportunity for our state, and OCM is obligated to ensure that its work makes those opportunities accessible, transparent, and responsive to the industry’s movement and trends.

“I want to thank Governor Hochul for this opportunity and look forward to doing the work with equity as the central-most focus of OCM’s way forward,” she added.

The governor also announced that Susan Filburn has been appointed chief administrative officer.

This new position will focus on stabilizing and formalizing administrative functions of the agency to support licensing, compliance and enforcement operations.

Hochul said Filburn will also work closely with the licensing and technology teams to implement process improvements to streamline the license review process and improve responsiveness.

Jessica Woolford has been promoted to the position of director of external affairs.

In this role, the governor said Woolford will ensure that communication and community engagement are prioritized as the agency implements transformational change.

She will also build out the agency’s first customer service team to provide transparency to applicants, licensees and consumers about the agency’s processes and the marketplace.