New York regulators have approved 24 new adult-use marijuana licenses while adopting updated rules for the state’s medical cannabis program, including expanded possession limits, longer patient certifications and access for visiting out-of-state patients.
The Cannabis Control Board approved the actions during its July 2 meeting, bringing the total number of adult-use licenses issued statewide to 2,296. The new approvals include 15 cultivator licenses, six processor licenses, two retail dispensary licenses and one Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license.
“Every Board meeting is an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of New York’s cannabis industry,” said Cannabis Control Board Chair Jessica García. “Whether we’re modernizing the Medical Cannabis Program, approving new licenses, or refining regulations, our goal remains the same: to foster a market that serves patients, supports businesses, and protects consumers.”
The board also voted to adopt updated Part 113 regulations for the Medical Cannabis Program following a public comment period that ended May 25. The rules will take effect once a Notice of Adoption is published in the New York State Register, which state officials expect later this month.
The updated regulations extend patient certifications from one year to up to two years, increase possession limits to allow patients and caregivers to possess up to a 60-day supply, or up to three ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrate, whichever is greater, and align additional program requirements with the state’s broader cannabis framework.
Once the rules take effect, qualifying medical marijuana patients from other states will also be allowed to purchase products from registered medical cannabis dispensing facilities in New York.
In addition to the new licenses and medical regulations, the board processed 76 adult-use license renewals, 15 CAURD renewals, 36 license amendments and two application denials.
To date, New York has issued 270 adult-use cultivator licenses, 247 distributor licenses, 327 microbusiness licenses, 562 processor licenses, 531 retail dispensary licenses and 359 CAURD licenses.
The Office of Cannabis Management said 56% of all adult-use licenses statewide have been awarded to Social and Economic Equity applicants. Among the licenses approved at the July 2 meeting, 74% went to equity-owned businesses, including businesses owned by people from communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition, minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses.
“Social and Economic Equity was never intended to be measured by a single licensing round—it is reflected in the continued participation and success of businesses across the marketplace,” said Simone Washington, Chief Equity Officer of the Office of Cannabis Management. “Today’s approvals demonstrate that equity remains a defining feature of New York’s regulated cannabis industry as we continue expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs statewide.”
New York’s legal cannabis market has reached about $895.4 million in year-to-date retail sales across the adult-use and medical programs through June. Average daily sales continued to increase month over month, reaching approximately $5.26 million in June, while sales per store remained stable as more retailers opened.
State officials said there are currently 683 legal dispensaries open across New York.
The next Cannabis Control Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, in Manhattan.
