Office of Cannabis Management

In an odd turn of events, an Albany County Supreme Court judge struck down some, not all as previously thought, of New York’s adult-use cannabis regulations. The ruling, which deemed the regulations arbitrary and unconstitutional, was viewed as a challenge to NY’s Office of Cannabis...

Just when you thought it was safe to expect the launch of New York's beleaguered retail cannabis program, another lawsuit has hit the docket of the state Supreme Court. Gracious Greens, a cannabis retail license applicant, is suing New York's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) over a regulation...

Governor Kathy Hochul (D) ordered a review of the state’s cannabis licensing process, nearly two months after saying she was fed up with the slow rollout of the marijuana market. Hochul asked officials to find a solution to the inefficient cannabis licensing scheme amid a growing number of...

New York’s ambitious crackdown on unlicensed cannabis retailers has hit a significant roadblock. Despite imposing over $25 million in fines since 2023, the state has barely recouped any of the levied amounts. This issue underscores the challenges faced by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s...

The “World's Most Famous Arena” could soon be the greenest, noted the New York Post in an article quoting a top cannabis regulator who predicts cannabis will one day be sold at Madison Square Garden. "This is a new frontier. They're going to be selling weed at Madison Square Garden...

Since the approval of the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act in 2021, New York’s journey towards a flourishing legal cannabis market has been fraught with challenges. Regulatory hurdles and a thriving illicit market have hindered the growth expected by industry stakeholders and...

New York’s legal cannabis market surpassed $150 million in sales during its inaugural year, reports the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The market’s successful launch follows the approval of only 40 retail dispensaries from over 6,900 applicants, indicating a stringent vetting...

The New York State Cannabis Control Board (CCB) achieved a critical breakthrough in overcoming a legal impasse obstructing the establishment of numerous cannabis dispensaries in the state. What Happened: In a unanimous decision during Monday's meeting, the board endorsed a settlement agreement...

New York State has taken a significant step towards easing the banking challenges faced by the cannabis industry with the passing of Senate Bill S1047. Sponsored by state Senator Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester), the bill addresses critical banking issues for cannabis businesses. Facilitating Financial...

Setback in Cannabis Licensing Settlement Discussions Leaves Industry in Limbo The New York Cannabis Control Board faced a setback in its Friday meeting as discussions about a settlement agreement, addressing two lawsuits concerning the state's CAURD program, were removed from the agenda. The...

In Buffalo, the first joint public hearing of the New York State Senate's Sub-Committee on Cannabis took place Monday and lasted seven hours. That may still not have been enough time to address the many issues dogging the state's cannabis program, starting with the painfully...

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) named the first executive director of the state's new Office of Cannabis Management on Thursday, saying that she “is a proven and effective leader, who will be successful in standing up Minnesota’s new adult-use cannabis market and helping...

Legal Hurdle Lifted For 30 New York Cannabis Retailers After Preliminary Injunction A recent preliminary injunction by Judge Kevin Bryant could lead to a substantial increase in operational cannabis retailers in New York. With 23 marijuana retailers already in operation out of the approved 463...

New York City is investing in an equitable cannabis industry that "creates jobs, grows businesses, and creates greater prosperity in the process,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce. In an effort to promote participation in the...

Reuben McDaniel, one of the most influential figures in the rollout of New York’s beleaguered legal cannabis program, told Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office on Wednesday that he is resigning from the board of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), reported The City. McDaniel, who was...