Adult Use Cannabis Program

The MRTA legalizes cannabis for adult-use and outlines key consumer protections, licenses, and establishes a new cannabis regulator- the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which is overseen by the Cannabis Control Board (CCB).  The OCM is led by Executive Director Chris Alexander, and the CCB is chaired by former Assemblymember Tremaine Wright.

The MRTA sets forth strong social equity policies and also mandates that the CCB and OCM establish a Social Equity Plan, led by the OCM’s Chief Equity Officer, and to use best efforts to issue at least half of the adult-use cannabis licenses to social equity qualified businesses or individuals. The NYMCIA firmly supports the MRTA and stands ready to help New York achieve its strong social equity mandates.   

The MRTA clearly outlines how the NYMCIA members may enter into the adult-use cannabis program.  The OCM is expected to promulgate adult-use cannabis regulations that will outline, among other things, a one-time special licensing fee that each medical cannabis licensee must pay in order to participate in the adult-use cannabis marketplace. 

The collective license fees will be used to provide resources to the State-administered social equity fund established by the MRTA right away. In her January 2022 State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the social equity fund will reach at least $200 million and be used to provide zero-interest or low-interest loans to social equity businesses. 

 The NYMCIA looks forward to working with the State to provide seed funding for this historic fund, as well any other resources or partnership that the State may need, such as providing technical assistance for the state-Administered Incubator Program.

Those interested in receiving additional information and announcements from the OCM can sign up here. In addition, sign up for the NYMCIA’s biweekly newsletter to stay up to date on developments in the medical and adult-use cannabis programs.