Today, the New York State Cannabis Control Board approved 58 Adult-use Cannabis Conditional Cultivator Licenses, adding to the 88 already approved by the Board at previous meetings. The awarding of the licenses demonstrates the advancement of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative, announced by Governor Hochul on March 10, 2022.
The Initiative includes the granting of Conditional Cultivator Licenses, created by legislation signed by the Governor in February, to qualifying New York-based farms that have previously grown cannabinoid hemp in New York State and positions equity entrepreneurs to be the first to make adult-use cannabis sales in New York with products grown by the farmers licensed today.
The now 146 approved licenses are from a pool of more than 200 applications submitted to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) following the March 15 opening of the online application portal.
The OCM will continue to review applications on a rolling basis and will work to get them to the Board for approval as quickly as possible to ensure farmers are able to capitalize on the growing season.
A list of the licenses approved today is available here.
The deadline to submit applications is June 30, 2022.
“Every Cannabis Control Board Meeting brings us closer to our goal of establishing adult-use cannabis sales in New York before the end of 2022,” said Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright. “We are working to ensure this industry launches on the right foot by prioritizing small farmers, small business owners, and those harmed most during the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition. With 146 farms across the state approved to grow adult-use cannabis, we’re making sure every community in New York benefits from this new industry.”
“We are demonstrating New York’s commitment to creating real opportunities for New Yorkers to participate in the cannabis industry. The Board has now approved 146 licenses to cultivate adult-use cannabis and each of those licenses is being held by someone who otherwise may have been left out or left behind from the launch of this industry if not for that commitment.” said the Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander.“Today’s Cannabis Control Board Meeting represents another big step in creating the diverse and equitable cannabis ecosystem that we hoped New York could be.”
‘Get Ready, Get Set’ Cannabis Workshops
Last week in Rochester, Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander announced the first “Get Ready, Get Set” virtual workshops to help eligible New Yorkers prepare applications for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Licenses to sell cannabis in New York.
The CAURD licenses are one of the cornerstones of the Seeding Opportunity Initiative which ensures the first adult-use cannabis is grown by New York farmers and sold by individuals directly impacted by the overcriminalization of cannabis prohibition.
The “Get Ready, Get Set” workshops are a two-part series of virtual events in May. The first phase of events will be two learning sessions focused on providing information and education to CAURD-eligible individuals and the organizations that work with them.
The second phase of events will be two listening sessions; the first focused on obtaining feedback from individuals and community organizations on how to support cannabis cultivation in New York State, followed by a second session on how to help ensure equity is successfully integrated into the developing New York State cannabis industry.
Next up is the Listening Series.
Listening Series:
Tuesday, May 24 at 4 p.m.
- How to Support Cannabis Cultivation in NYS
Wednesday, May 25 at 4 p.m.
- How to Ensure Equity in the NYS Cannabis Industry
These events will be streamed online, you can find sign-up forms to RSVP to these events HERE.
DASNY Seeks Firms for $200 million Social Equity Program to Develop Conditional Adult-Use Retail Cannabis Dispensaries for Social Equity Licensees
Last week, the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) announced that it has released two requests for proposals (RFPs) relating to the Social Equity Cannabis Investment Program (the Program) that was included in the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget.
The RFPs released to advance the Program, which will help CAURD licensees meet the costs of establishing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries.
The program, which will be supported by up to $50 million in licensing fees and revenue from the adult-use cannabis industry and up to $150 million from the private sector, will provide funds that will be used to assist with:
- Identifying suitable locations for Dispensaries
- Acquiring or leasing the space for the Dispensaries
- Designing and constructing the space to suit business needs
- Fitting out locations with furniture and other equipment
The RFPs issued include
• Selection of Fund Sponsor, General Partner and Fund Manager to manage the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Program. Working with the Legislature, Governor Hochul provided the authority for the State to create a fund of up to $200 million to finance the leasing and equipping of adult-use retail cannabis dispensaries in New York state to be operated by social equity licensees. The RFP seeks proposals from parties interested to act as fund sponsors, general partners, and fund managers to such fund. Proposals are due by June 8, with an award of the RFP announced no earlier than June 20, 2022.
• Selection of Design-Build Firms to Support Development of Retail Dispensaries. DASNY is seeking proposals from qualified Design-Build teams to provide design, construction, and other services needed to renovate existing spaces for conditional adult-use cannabis retail dispensary facilities to be operated by social equity licensees. DASNY anticipates that an amount up to 150 dispensaries will be completed across the State. Proposals are due by June 13, with awards of the RFP announced no earlier than July 11.
The Program will identify and lease locations throughout the state to be conditional adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries for operation by social equity entrepreneurs.
The Fund also will advance fund the costs of construction, equipping, and leasing of these sites for repayment by the social equity entrepreneurs.
DASNY has significant experience and expertise in design and construction and will manage and oversee the buildout of locations that selected design-build contractors will perform.
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