{"id":57831,"date":"2022-11-03T12:40:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T20:40:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/11\/03\/new-yorks-first-recreational-marijuana-dispensaries-could-be-approved-within-weeks-top-regulator-says\/"},"modified":"2022-11-03T17:45:39","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T01:45:39","slug":"new-yorks-first-recreational-marijuana-dispensaries-could-be-approved-within-weeks-top-regulator-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2022\/11\/03\/new-yorks-first-recreational-marijuana-dispensaries-could-be-approved-within-weeks-top-regulator-says\/","title":{"rendered":"New York\u2019s First Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries Could Be Approved Within Weeks, Top Regulator Says"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

The first New York recreational marijuana retailer licenses could be approved in about two weeks, a top regulator said on Thursday, previewing plans for an upcoming Cannabis Control Board (CCB) meeting.<\/p>\n

While nothing has been formally scheduled and announced yet, CCB is expected to meet on November 21 and potentially approve the first set of Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses, Axel Bernabe of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) said at the Business of Cannabis conference in New York City.<\/p>\n

Regulators have said on several occasions in recent months that they\u2019re on track to have adult-use marijuana storefronts open by the end of the year, but the comments from Bernabe are more specific about the timeline. He said the state is in a \u201cposition\u201d to meet that goal.<\/p>\n

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Axel Bernabe, the chief of staff for the Office of Cannabis Management, says his agency has scored applications and will recommend approval for applicants who represent the “top of the class.” 2\/2<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ashley $Southall (Away) (@AshleyAtTimes) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Tremaine Wright, chair of the CCB, similarly said<\/a> on a separate panel on Thursday that \u201cwe are on target\u201d to open the first cannabis storefronts, owned by people who\u2019ve been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs, this year.<\/p>\n

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We are on target to open stores by the end of the year. \u2013 Tremaine Wright @tremaine4ny<\/a> @nys_cannabis<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Business of Cannabis (@bofc_media) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThere will be stores open before the end of the year,\u201d she said. \u201cWe will keep opening until 150 are open across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe will have stores open, not just one, by the end of the year.\u201d @tremaine4ny<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/762WFmLssX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 kristinalopez.eth (@KristinaL0pez) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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This comes days after OCM released guidance<\/a> for recreational marijuana dispensaries, which \u201cserves to provide the framework that will assist [CAURD] licensees plan for how to operate their dispensary before regulations are formally adopted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of the conversations at the conference centered on the importance of providing equal opportunities for small businesses and justice-involved entrepreneurs to participate in the industry. To that end, officials said that Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s (D) $200 million private-public social equity fund will help the state achieve market parity.<\/p>\n

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“In 15 months, we\u2019ll have a fully established supply chain, built on social equity. That supply chain will form the backbone of what we\u2019re going to build on in the future.” \u2013 Axel Bernabe #BofCNY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3wLeT6Vz0f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Business of Cannabis (@bofc_media) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cI fully expect [the state] to be making investments,\u201d Wright said. \u201cThis is the first opportunity for people to demonstrate their commitment to equity.\u201d<\/p>\n

State regulators closed a one-month window for accepting applications for the state\u2019s first cannabis retailer licenses<\/a> in September\u2014and 903 businesses run by people who have been harmed by the drug war completed and submitted their forms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear how many conditional licenses will up for the first approvals that are planned for later this month, but officials say that they will be selecting 150 applicants<\/a> in total before expanding the application pool.<\/p>\n

\n

“In 15 months, we\u2019ll have a fully established supply chain, built on social equity. That supply chain will form the backbone of what we\u2019re going to build on in the future.” \u2013 Axel Bernabe #BofCNY<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3wLeT6Vz0f<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Business of Cannabis (@bofc_media) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The timeline for retailers to launch is also contingent on the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) being able to design and build turnkey storefronts for the licensees.<\/p>\n

In order to qualify for the special retail license, applicants must have faced a conviction for a cannabis-related offense prior to the enactment of legalization in the state, or have a direct relative with such a conviction, and they must also have experience operating a qualifying business.<\/p>\n

Regulators have also expanded the definition of a qualifying \u201cjustice-involved\u201d individual to include people who were arrested for marijuana but convicted for a lesser offense, which advocates view as a positive step that will broader the applicant pool.<\/p>\n

People who receive CAURD licenses will be able to access the $200 million Social Equity Cannabis Fund and also be eligible for turnkey storefronts that are now being secured and built out by DASNY.<\/p>\n

Additionally, regulators say that up to 25 of the CAURD licenses will go to eligible non-profits\u2014\u201dspecifically organizations with a history of serving justice-involved individuals and creating vocational opportunities for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those non-profit organizations will not be entitled to the Social Equity Cannabis Fund and they couldn\u2019t access the state-approved turnkey facilities so they\u2019d have to operate their own compliant storefronts.<\/p>\n

In anticipation of the CAURD license applications opening, the mayor of New York City recently\u00a0announced the launch of a new program<\/a>\u00a0to promote cannabis industry equity by supporting entrepreneurs most impacted by the drug war.<\/p>\n

The Cannabis NYC initiative aims to initially help would-be dispensary operators complete the licensing application process, but is also promising to provide \u201csupport beyond the license\u201d by connecting \u201caspiring cannabis entrepreneurs to no-cost services, along with technical assistance, to support successful businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, CCB also approved the state\u2019s first round of recreational cannabis processor licenses<\/a> in August. The board has further approved\u00a0numerous conditional cultivator applications, which are being granted to existing hemp businesses in the state.<\/p>\n

In September, regulators\u00a0additionally voted to adopt home grow rules<\/a>\u00a0for medical cannabis patients, as well as another round of conditional marijuana processor and cultivator business applications.<\/p>\n

The adoption of the medical cannabis home grow resolution comes about a year after draft regulations were first proposed and several months after the board accepted revised rules following a public comment period. Now CCB has directed the OCM to formally send the approved regulations to the New York State Department of State.<\/p>\n

With respect to retailers, OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander said in July that the office diligently reviewed and responded to public comments on the proposed rules for conditional retailers, but there\u2019s still been some frustration among stakeholders who feel that the input was not thoughtfully incorporated.<\/p>\n

For what it\u2019s worth, a poll found that\u00a0most New Yorkers voters are against that proposal<\/a>\u00a0to prioritize retail licenses for justice-involved people.<\/p>\n

Separately, OCM also recently publicized dozens of cease and desist letters that they have sent to businesses accused of illegally selling marijuana as the state prepares to launch its adult-use market.<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s been skepticism about the accuracy of the office\u2019s enforcement targets. Some businesses that were named as operating illicit marijuana shops say they never received the notice; others, including\u00a0one<\/a>\u00a0event and catering business, say that were wrongfully targeted, denying that they\u2019ve been involved in cannabis sales.<\/p>\n

As it stands, adults 21 and older can\u00a0possess and publicly consume cannabis<\/a>, as well as gift marijuana to other adults as long as they aren\u2019t being compensated.<\/p>\n

In June, CCB also\u00a0approved a series of proposed rules<\/a>\u00a0for marijuana packaging, labeling, advertising and testing requirements.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, New York lawmakers recently sent a budget proposal to the governor\u2019s desk that includes provisions to\u00a0let marijuana businesses take state tax deductions<\/a>\u00a0that are available to other industries despite an ongoing federal ban on cannabis. That was signed into law.<\/p>\n

Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D)\u00a0filed a standalone bill in December<\/a>\u00a0seeking a similar carve-out for the state\u2019s burgeoning cannabis market. Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D) followed suit in her chamber. Cooney also filed a bill in May to allow regulators to\u00a0disclose certain information about cannabis licensees<\/a>\u00a0to financial institutions to promote marijuana banking.<\/p>\n

Hochul has repeatedly emphasized her interest in\u00a0efficiently implementing the legalization law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The governor released a State of the State book in January that called for\u00a0the creation of a $200 million public-private fund<\/a>\u00a0to specifically help promote social equity in the state\u2019s burgeoning marijuana market.<\/p>\n

That proposal was\u00a0also cited in the governor\u2019s executive budget<\/a>, which was released in January. The budget also estimated that New York stands to generate more than $1.25 billion in marijuana tax revenue over the next six years.<\/p>\n

Hochul said that while cannabis business licenses have yet to be approved since legalization was signed into law last year, the market stands to generate billions of dollars, and it\u2019s important to \u201ccreate opportunities for all New Yorkers, particularly those from historically marginalized communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

OCM has also been putting out PSAs to\u00a0promote public education about the marijuana policy change<\/a>, including a first-of-its-kind taxpayer-funded marijuana ad that aired in most of New York during an NBA Finals game in July. The PSA boldly addressed the racially discriminatory harms of cannabis criminalization and highlighted steps that state regulators are taking to right the wrongs of prohibition.<\/p>\n

CCB also wants the opportunity to showcase its marijuana PSA campaign on the social media app TikTok, but it was told by the company previously that it could not use the platform because of its existing ban on the use of the word \u201ccannabis.\u201d The department\u00a0recently sent a letter to TikTok<\/a>, requesting a policy change for government marijuana-related ads that concern public education.<\/p>\n

Here are some other ways that New York lawmakers and regulators are working to promote drug policy reform as the state prepares to implement retail marijuana sales:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In July, Hochul announced that the state had awarded $5 million in funding to community colleges to support the development and improvement of courses and programs specifically meant to\u00a0help people secure jobs in the marijuana industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014
\nMarijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nLearn more about our marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.
\n\u2014<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

The New York Senate approved a bill in June that would require public health insurance programs\u00a0to cover medical marijuana expenses<\/a>\u00a0and clarify that private insurers are allowed to do the same.<\/p>\n

Both chambers of the state legislature have passed a measure to\u00a0encourage businesses to use hemp materials<\/a>\u00a0for packaging, construction and other industrial purposes.<\/p>\n

The state Department of Labor separately announced in recent guidance that New York employers are no longer allowed to\u00a0drug test most workers for marijuana<\/a>. Even prior to the enactment of legalization, New York City officials had established a\u00a0local ban on pre-employment drug testing<\/a>\u00a0for cannabis.<\/p>\n

A recent legal directive from the New York City Law Department (NYCLD) has put police and firefighter drug testing policy in the spotlight\u00a0after a document that was leaked<\/a>\u00a0from the New York Police Department (NYPD) signaled that officers would no longer be subject to pre-employment, random or scheduled screening for cannabis because of the legal analysis.<\/p>\n

A firefighters union\u00a0claimed credit for the new directive<\/a>, saying that it was responsive to inquires that it made to the city.<\/p>\n

Separately, Adams says he\u2019s looking into the idea of authorizing marijuana to be grown in greenhouses\u00a0on the rooftops of public housing buildings<\/a>\u2014an ambitious proposal that\u2019s unlikely to sit well with the federal government, which provides funding to support the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).<\/p>\n

A New York senator filed a bill in May that would legalize what\u00a0would essentially be licensed community marijuana gardens<\/a>\u00a0for people who aren\u2019t able to cultivate cannabis at their own homes.<\/p>\n

Also that month, a New York Assembly committee advanced a bill to establish a\u00a0statewide safe consumption site program<\/a>, allowing regulators to authorize facilities where people could use currently illicit drugs in a medically supervised environment.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a New York lawmaker introduced a bill last year that would require the state to establish an institute to\u00a0research the therapeutic potential of psychedelics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another state legislator filed a bill in December to\u00a0legalize psilocybin mushrooms for medical purposes<\/a>\u00a0and establish facilities where the psychedelic could be grown and administered to patients.<\/p>\n

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Arkansas Marijuana Legalization Initiative In Jeopardy, New Poll Shows Days Before Election<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The post New York\u2019s First Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries Could Be Approved Within Weeks, Top Regulator Says<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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The first New York recreational marijuana retailer licenses could be approved in about two weeks, a top regulator said on Thursday, previewing plans for an upcoming Cannabis Control Board (CCB) meeting. While nothing has been formally scheduled and announced yet, CCB is expected to meet on November 21 and potentiallyContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":57832,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57831"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57831"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57831\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57833,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57831\/revisions\/57833"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}