New York Cannabis Control Board Approves 101 Adult-Use Licenses, Bringing Total to Date to 1,614

At the New York State Cannabis Control Board’s (CCB) monthly public meeting today, the group approved over 100 new adult-use cannabis licenses.

According to the CCB, this signals the near completion of the November licensing queue review, saying “This achievement reflects the state’s ongoing efforts to expand access to the regulated market, support small businesses, and create economic opportunities across diverse communities.”

The 101 new license approvals brings the total to 1,614, including 255 CAURD licenses, 55% of which are held by Social and Economic Equity (SEE) licensees.

The 101 licenses issued today include:

Additionally, the Board, with insight from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), advanced proposed amendments to the state’s Packaging, Labeling, Marketing, and Advertising (PLMA) regulations, incorporating public feedback to strike a balance between consumer safety and industry growth.

The proposed revisions received significant interest, with more than 200 individual comments submitted. The overwhelming majority of participants (181) suggested amendments be made to the proposed regulations.

The proposed changes would include empowering licensees to market and advertise their products more competitively while still prioritizing public health and safety. The revisions would also allow for discounting with some restrictions, including that the discount cannot result in the sale of cannabis products below market value or subvert state and local tax collections.

“These potential updates to our packaging and labeling regulations reflect our commitment to a safe, responsible, and competitive cannabis market,” said Tremaine Wright, Chairperson of The New York State Cannabis Control Board. “By restricting practices that could endanger public health, especially for young people, while also easing the burden on licensees to market their products effectively, we’re striking a balance that supports both consumer safety and business success in New York’s legal cannabis market.”

Following the Board’s approval of the draft, the OCM will now seek additional public comment for 45-days.

Market and Social Economic Equity Update: New York’s Growing Cannabis Industry

The newly formed Trade Practices Bureau (TPB) delivered its first public update during the meeting, signaling the state’s increased focus on compliance and market integrity. The TPB has already received numerous complaints of noncompliant activity, a number that continues to rise as stakeholders engage with the bureau’s oversight process.

Of those, five cases are now active, addressing serious allegations that threaten the transparency and fairness of New York’s regulated market. Current investigations involve potential violations such as inversion and True Party of Interest (TPI) infractions, ownership and control abuses, license stacking, and pay-to-play schemes. These practices, if confirmed, could undermine the state’s equity goals and the ability of licensees to compete on a level playing field.

“OCM’s Trade Practice Bureau (TPB) is already proving to be a critical tool in our enforcement strategy,” said Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of The New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “In just its first month, TPB has launched investigations into a range of serious violations in the market. The TPB has worked with OCM Compliance and OCM Enforcement & Investigations to quarantine non-compliant product linked to an alleged white labeling violation. OCM’s actions are crucial to protecting equity licensees, maintaining consumer trust, and ensuring that New York’s legal cannabis market grows with integrity intact.”

The Office also shared additional highlights from its Market Report, offering a snapshot of the industry’s performance and the progress of New York’s legal cannabis rollout. Over the past 12 months, 47% of all adult-use cannabis sales have come from downstate regions: Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. This trend underscores the strong consumer demand and business potential in some of the state’s most densely populated areas. New York’s cannabis industry continues to thrive, with cumulative sales passing $220 million in 2025.

The Office also discussed the launch of its Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Grant Program, a $5 million initiative designed to help licensed dispensary owners cover critical startup costs. The program will provide grants of up to $30,000 per awardee to assist with expenses such as commercial rent, security equipment, point-of-sale systems, inventory tracking, and regulatory compliance improvements. The program is awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Additionally, the CCB approved several key actions, including lab permit renewals, CAURD renewals, approved location changes, and research licenses.

The state has demonstrated its commitment to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) by ensuring broad participation in the adult-use licensing process. Of the 1,614 adult-use licenses issued to date, 55% were awarded to SEE applicants. This includes 13% Community Disproportionately Impacted (CDI) applicants, 9% distressed farmers, 43% minority-owned businesses, 7% service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and 53% women-owned businesses. These SEE applicants have been successful across all categories of licensure, reinforcing New York’s dedication to building an inclusive market. Of the cohort approved at the CCB meeting, 59% were SEE applicants.

There are currently 330 legal dispensaries open for business across the Empire State. A full list of New York’s licensed, operational adult-use cannabis retailers is available here.