Adult Use Cannabis Program

The MRTA legalized cannabis for adult-use and outlines key consumer protections, licenses, and established a new cannabis regulator — the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), which is overseen by the Cannabis Control Board (CCB).  The OCM is led by Acting Executive Director Felicia Reid, and the CCB is chaired by former Assemblymember Tremaine Wright. 

The MRTA sets forth strong social equity policies and mandates that the CCB and OCM establish a Social Equity Plan, led by the OCM’s Chief Equity Officer, and to use best efforts to issue at least half of the adult-use cannabis licenses to social equity qualified businesses or individuals. The NYMCIA firmly supports the MRTA and stands ready to help New York achieve its strong social equity mandates.    

Though New York’s more recent adult-use sales numbers paint a promising picture for the market for 2025 and beyond, the fallout from the program’s bumpy rollout continues. The delayed rollout allowed the illicit market to flourish, making it harder for legal operators to compete and putting New Yorkers at risk due to the easy availability of untested, unregulated cannabis products. 

The lack of RO participation in the adult-use market is, in fact, wiping out the medical market and undercutting the state’s social equity goals by perpetuating the challenges realized by every other state’s social equity policies. 

By adopting pragmatic policies, the state can unlock the full potential of its cannabis industry – benefiting patients, social equity entrepreneurs, taxpayers, and communities while driving sustainable growth and job creation. 

Those interested in receiving additional information and announcements from the OCM can sign up here. In addition, sign up for the NYMCIA’s monthly newsletter to stay up to date on developments in the medical and adult-use cannabis programs.