New York approves self-cultivation for medical cannabis patients

Patients treated with medical cannabis in New York will soon be allowed to grow their own cannabis under new rules decided at the second meeting of the Cannabis Control Board (CCB).

Home growing had been included in the bill approved by the legislature earlier this year It did, however, include provisions prohibiting home growing until retail sales are launched in the state, starting in 2022.

Under the proposed rules, which are still subject to a 60-day public comment period that the BCC can adjust before they come into effect, registered patients will be able to grow up to three immature (growing) and three mature (flowering) plants per individual, or up to six immature and six mature plants per household.

«Only certified patients or their designated caregivers participating in the medical cannabis program will be able to legally purchase seeds or immature plants from a registered organization.», said Chris Alexander, CCB executive director. «And so, New Yorkers who don't participate in the medical program can't yet grow and cultivate at home.»

Board members also approved the expungement of more than 200,000 criminal records for offenses that are no longer illegal in the state under the Adult Use Act.

CCD Executive Director Chris Alexander said the state was already refusing to do background checks on cannabis arrests, and those charges would eventually be expunged.

«When completed, the actions of these measures will have expunged the records of over 400,000 New Yorkers, a staggering reminder of the impact cannabis prohibition has had on so many,» explained Chris Alexander.

By 2019, the state had expunged some 198,000 cannabis-related criminal records, even before the sweeping legalization reforms.

During of its first meeting at the beginning of the month, the board permanently waived patient and caregiver fees for medical cannabis, made flower an approved form of medical cannabis in the state, and approved the ability for patients to obtain a 60-day supply of medical cannabis instead of just one month.

Legal and adult-use sales of cannabis are planned in New York from 2022.