As of April 2021, Andrew Cuomo is upholding his promise to New York residents, he is pushing the Recreational Cannabis Program forward. After a yearlong delay caused by COVID-19, Cuomo signed the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) on March 31, 2021 making New York the 15th State to legalize Cannabis for Recreational purposes. This creates opportunities to open a dispensary in New York amongst other marijuana businesses for new entrants.

The law sets out a framework that will comprehensively regulate cannabis in New York State in a manner that will protect public health and safety, while promoting social equity and economic development. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will license cultivators, processors, distributors and dispensaries to grow and sell cannabis in New York. To protect consumer safety, there will be laboratory testing and packaging and labeling requirements for cannabis products. The Office will create a social and economic equity program to encourage small businesses and communities disproportionally harmed by disparate drug enforcement to participate in the new industry.

The Office of Cannabis Management website officially went live on Monday, April 5, 2021, only five days after the state legalized marijuana.

For more information visit: https://cannabis.ny.gov/adult-use

Contact Info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com for more information on how to apply for a cannabis business license in New York.