Governor Kathy Hochul and John Kagia.
The New York State Senate has confirmed John Kagia as executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, giving the agency permanent leadership as the state’s legal marijuana market continues to expand.
The confirmation, announced June 4, comes as New York’s marijuana market has reached more than $3.2 billion in legal sales. According to OCM, the state now has 2,270 adult-use licenses, including 667 operational dispensaries.
Kagia had been serving in a leadership role at the agency after previously working as director of policy. His confirmation gives him formal authority to continue overseeing the state’s adult-use, medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs.
“I am honored by the Senate’s confirmation and grateful to Governor Hochul, the Cannabis Control Board, our staff, and the stakeholders who have helped build New York’s cannabis market,” Kagia said. “Over the past 5 years, New York has built the nation’s most innovative cannabis framework, rooted in equity, public health, and economic opportunity.”
The agency said 56% of adult-use licenses have been awarded to Social and Economic Equity applicants, surpassing the state’s statutory goal of 50%. OCM also said community reinvestment funding has increased from $5 million to $15 million, with 423 organizations applying for support in the current grant cycle.
Other actions highlighted by the agency include securing $10 million for seed-to-sale tracking tags and compliance tools, closing 627 illicit shops in partnership with local law enforcement, and launching what OCM described as the nation’s first observational research study led by a state marijuana regulatory agency. That study is examining cannabinoids and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.
The agency also pointed to its work implementing medical marijuana reforms under Senate Bill 3294-A, which is designed to expand patient access and modernize the state’s medical marijuana program.
Jessica Garcia, chair of the Cannabis Control Board, said Kagia “brings crucial leadership at a critical time for New York’s cannabis market.”
As executive director, Kagia will continue overseeing efforts tied to regulatory modernization, public health education, market transparency, stakeholder engagement and enforcement against the illicit market.
