Continue to Site »
Site will load in 15 seconds

New York Regulators Will Start Accepting Cannabis Dispensary License Applications Aug. 25

Applicants with prior cannabis-related convictions will be first in line to receive licenses.

New York State Capital Adobe Stock Jiawangkun Resized
jiawangkun | Adobe Stock

New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced Aug. 11 that regulators will start accepting adult-use cannabis dispensary license applications Aug. 25, with applicants with prior cannabis-related convictions first in line to receive conditional licenses.

Those who have a close relative with a cannabis-related conviction will also be prioritized in the licensing process, and applicants are also required to have experience owning and operating a "qualifying" business.

RELATED: New York Governor Announces ‘Seeding Opportunity Initiative’ to Promote Social Equity in State’s Adult-Use Cannabis Market

“Today’s announcement brings us to the precipice of legal, licensed cannabis sales in New York State,” Cannabis Control Board (CCB) Chair Tremaine Wright said in a public statement. “With the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, New York has affirmed our commitment to making sure the first sales are conducted by those harmed by prohibition. We’re writing a new playbook for what an equitable launch of a cannabis industry looks like, and hope future states follow our lead.”

The OCM has published a resources page on its website to help applicants begin preparing their documentation.

RELATED: New York Regulators Approve Regulations Governing Adult-Use Cannabis Sales

“In just two weeks my team will start accepting applications for adult-use retail cannabis dispensaries,” OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander said in a public statement. “This is a monumental step in establishing the most equitable, diverse, and accessible cannabis industry in the nation. We’ve worked to make this application as simple as possible for all interested applicants, and I cannot emphasize it enough that you do not need any legal expertise to fill this application out.”

The application window will close on Sept. 26.

Page 1 of 11
Next Page