New York State ready to legalize cannabis self-cultivation

The residents of the’State of New York are getting a little closer to the possibility of grow their own cannabis after the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) The state has approved draft rules for the culture at home. The promise of a culture at home had been looming ever since the government had approved the Legalization of cannabis for adult use in 2021, but it was waiting for regulators to publish a concrete framework before it could be implemented.

Today, a comprehensive framework for the culture at home, originally developed by the’Office for Cannabis Management (OCM) and submitted for review by the CCB, was approved.

This means that a 60-day public comment period will be launched before the rules are finalized and implemented statewide.

If adopted, the proposals will allow anyone over the age of 21 to grow up to six cannabis plants, including three mature plants and three immature plants, which must be located in a secure location and not on public display.

People will be allowed to grow plants in only one location and may possess up to five books (2.5 kilograms) cut and dried flowers from their own plants.

L’Symple Seeds, an American cannabis seed company said à Business of Cannabis : «I applaud New York’s decision to allow the culture at home, because it takes into account the growing desire for’autonomy consumers and opens up exciting opportunities for both New Yorker as for the’legal cannabis industry. »

«The culture at home not only allows enthusiasts to engage in a practical and educational experience, but it also supports the principles of’self-sufficiency and responsible cannabis use. It helps people better understand the plant, its various varieties and the cultivation process »

Not everyone is as optimistic about this decision; many suggest that it will exacerbate the growing problems facing the’cannabis industryNew York is grappling with its illicit market and that make managing the problematic legal entities.

More than 100 new licenses

In order to boost the local industry, the CCB has also significantly expanded the legal cannabis market by approving last week 110 new licenses.

While many expected that the CCB issues approximately 400 retail licenses At the initial meeting in January, an agenda released before the cancellation showed that, in fact, only three retailers, as well as five farmers, two micro-businesses and three transformers, were set to receive licenses.

This time, 38 retailers, 24 producers, 27 micro-businesses, 12 transformers and nine distributors will receive licenses.

However, 13 of these retailers would be located too close to other cannabis stores, which means they will likely only receive «provisional licenses"«, giving them 12 months to find another location.

This decision comes as state regulators are under increasing pressure to speed up the licensing procedure, which the Governor Kathy Hochul recently described as disastrous.

To date, only 65 retail licenses were granted, while more than 4,300 applications were filed last year, in addition to the approximately 7,000 applications commercial licenses.

These are the first licenses issued outside of the CAURD Social Equity Program by the government, which aimed to ensure that those most affected by the ban on cannabis would be the first to benefit from legalization.

Tremaine Wright, Chairman of the CCB, said at Friday's meeting: «This moment has been a long time coming. We assure you that this is just the beginning. The office has worked diligently to process as many applications as possible, and the board will continue to approve additional licenses at upcoming meetings.»