New York Cannabis Business Opportunities
Start Preparing Your Cannabis License In New York
The application portal for New York cannabis business license opened on October 4th.
Contact our experts to get started.
Submit your application by December 4th to be considered.
How to Win A New York Cannabis Business License
On October 4, the OCM opened the licensing portal to submit New York cannabis business license applications. The portal will stay open until December 4th (tentatively) and will accept applications for retail, processor, cultivation, distributor, and microbusiness license types.
You will need 3 things to prepare a truly competitive adult-use license application in NY:
- State regulation experts
- License application experts
- Market development experts
Leverage the Power of Experienced New York Cannabis Consultants
Our winning team brings all of this expertise. We know what you’re up against and we know what it takes to submit winning applications. Canna Advisors already has successful cultivation, manufacturing and retail clients in New York. Our local, New York team is backed by our extensive team that has won licenses and helped build successful cannabis businesses in 38 states and internationally.
Join The Empire State of Cannabis
Contact our New York cannabis consultants today to discuss what you should be doing now to be properly positioned to win a competitive cannabis license in New York. Our New York-based team will be glad to meet with you at our office in NYC or any location in the state that is convenient for you.
Top New York Cannabis Consulting Services
How to Apply for a New York Adult-Use License
Use The New York License Application Portal
The OCM released a sample of the application portal and what will be required in this initial process. This application indicates a relatively straightforward application process including about 70 items that required filling out, whether that be a check box or a fill-in-the-blank. The portal also requires a few documents, forms and supplemental material to complete the application.
Expect Different Application Processes
Though this initial application seems quite simple, it will only be enough to secure a provisional license. We expect a separate process to approve licensees to operate that will include extensive business and operational plans, floor plans, security measurements, and more.
How to Prepare an Application Now
If you're a retailer with a property, now is the time to submit your application! The expedited review process will get you to operation faster and you'll want to be ready for the next step as soon as you get approved. It's time to start preparing your written operational plans, environmental plans, and all other written material that will be required by the OCM.
No Property? You Still Have Options
If you don't have a property, but are applying for a retail license, you can still submit your application. But it's time to secure a property - and fast. As applications start to roll in, properties will become sparse and you won't want to be stuck with a license and nowhere to open up shop.
For processors, distributors, and cultivators, the office has advised against apply if you do not have a property secured.
Utilize Canna Advisors 10+ years of experience in 38 states to help navigate this new application process and ensure you get your business up and running.
Rules, Regulations & Important Requirements for New York Adult-Use Cannabis Licenses
2023 Application Portal & License Requirements
The New York application portal will close on December 4 and retailers with secured property have until November 3rd to submit and be a part of the expedited review process. Submit your application with our team of cannabis consultants to put you ahead of the competition
Licenses Available
Retail, microbusiness, cultivation, distributor, and processor licenses will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. According to the OCM, they are anticipating to issue at least this amount of licenses per category. While these numbers are just estimates, the OCM has stated the authority to award more licenses.
- Retail Dispensary: 500 – 1000
- Microbusiness: 220
- Indoor Cultivation (Tier 1): 20
- Indoor Cultivation (Tier 2): 20
- Processor (Type 1): 55. Includes extracting, and activities of Types 2 and 3.
- Processor (Type 2): 100. Includes infusing and blending, and activities of Type 3.
- Processor (Type 3): No allocation limit (rolling review). Includes packaging, labeling, and branding for performance of white labeling agreements only.
- Distributor: 30
Required Plans Once You Obtain Your Provisional License
To initiate cannabis cultivation, processing, or retail operations, individuals cannot solely rely on a provisional license. They must also submit supplementary plans such as:
- Security and employee training and safety plan
- Overview of all authorized activities
- Quality assurance plan
- Cannabis recall plan
- Cannabis testing plan
- Energy and Environmental Plan
- Eleven (11) detailed sections ranging from hazardous waste to carbon footprint and sustainability and conservation, waste management, including detailed strategy to measure, track, record, performance and execution of the plan
Additional New York Application Requirements
New York applicants will also need to prepare general information and plans regarding:
- History of creating jobs
- History of diversity
- Community outreach & impact
- Source of funds
- Property procurement
- Continuity Plan
- Staffing
Our New York Consultants Are Planning Experts
Contact our winning license application team today to begin building all of your plans. You'll want to have your plans ready for as soon as you're approved for a provisional license.
New York Adult-Use License Application Requirements For All License Types
For both seasoned business owners and new cannabis entrepreneurs, there is a wide range of business license types available. Each type comes with its own unique risks and rewards, but our team is well-versed in helping you find a match based on your own experience and future goals.
New York Adult-Use Cultivation (Grower) Operator Applications
The regulations create Five (5) tiers of cultivation licenses for adult-use in New York. They are differentiated by light source with allowed square footage between 5,000 to 100,000 square feet.
Cultivation-Specific Requirements
In addition to the light and space differentiation, there are a handful of cultivation-specific requirements:
- Soil or growing medium preparation plan
- Pest management and control plan
- Emergency spill management procedures
New York Adult-Use Processing Operator Applications
The New York adult-use regulations create three (3) types of processing licenses that roughly break down by the level of manufacturing and capital involved for each type:
1) Minimal processing: Branding, packaging, and labeling
2) Blending and Infusing: Must have GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility
3) Extraction: Also must have GMP facility
Processing-Specific Requirements
All of the items above will be required, plus these that are processing-specific:
- Extraction Process Overview: description of methods of extraction, including chemical solvents, other materials, and equipment
- Emergency Plan Overview: Listing of emergency spill management procedures and plans
New York Adult-Use Retail (Dispensary) Operator Applications
A standard New York retail cannabis license still has a handful of core requirements worth noting:
- A Listing of the current employee in charge and SOPs for their responsibilities
- Documentation demonstrating compliance with Section 123.10(f)(1)
- Procedures to remain compliant with local ordinances pertaining to odor, noise, outdoor lines, and max capacity
New York Delivery Operator Applications
The cannabis delivery license alone will not allow you to sell cannabis. Instead you'll want to couple this with a retail or microbusiness license. Delivery employees can deliver in a multitude of vehicles include bikes, scooters, and on foot, but the amount of cannabis allowed within the vehicle varies based on the type. Enclosed vehicles can carry up to $20,000 worth of cannabis while unenclosed vehicles may only carry $5,000 worth of cannabis.
Note: A Delivery Plan is required
New York On-Site Consumption Facility Operator Applications
Similar to the delivery license, the on-site consumption license will only be allowed to operate with a retail or microbusiness license and will need extensive planning for ventilation and odor mitigation.
New York Integrated Microbusiness Operator Applications
The regulations set the allowed canopy size at 3,500 square feet indoor or 10,000 square feet outdoor. The regulations also allow micro operations to have retail locations that are distinct from their cultivation and processing facility.
New York Provisional Operator Applications
Applicants can be awarded a provisional license, receiving “pre-approval” for operating from the state which lasts for 12-months so they can subsequently search for a suitable location and expand the business’s team.
Start working with our team of license application experts now. Book your application consultation now.
New York Cannabis Industry Projections
Registered medical marijuana patients (2019)
Spending Forecast
Compounded annual growth rate
Image Data Source: "The State of Legal Marijuana Markets" by Arcview Market Research / BDS Analytics, 7th Edition.
Get Your Cannabis Business License in New York
Learn how our proven expertise and unparalleled track record can successfully secure your New York cannabis license.