Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act
The Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31, 2021 legalizing adult-use cannabis (also known as marijuana, or recreational marijuana) in New York State.
The legislation created a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) governed by a Cannabis Control Board to comprehensively regulate adult-use, medical, and hemp cannabis. The OCM will issue licenses and develop regulations outlining how and when business can participate in the new industry.
The Regulatory Process
The regulatory process in the State of New York is governed primarily by Article 2 of the State Administrative Procedure Act (SAPA). This process is administered in the Office of Cannabis Management Legal Division.
To initiate a regulatory proposal, SAPA requires submission of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to the Secretary of State for publication in the New York State Register. If no public hearing is required, the notice must precede adoption by at least 60 days (45 days for revised rulemaking). Publication by the Secretary of State is the primary means of giving notice of proposed actions. However, any person or entity may file a standing request to receive notices from the Department directly.
If the text of the proposed notice exceeds 2,000 words, only a description of the subject purpose or substance of the rule will be published in the New York State Register. Similarly, if the text of the Regulatory Impact Statement, Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, Rural Area Flexibility Analysis and/or the Job Impact Statement exceeds 2,000 words a summary is required. To ensure the widest possible and most timely outreach, in conjunction with submission to the Secretary of State, the Office will post the complete version of all regulatory notices on this website.
Comments on the proposed regulations should be directed to: [email protected] or mailed to: New York State Office of Cannabis Management PO Box 2071 Albany, NY 12220
Commenting on Proposed Regulations
Members of the public can comment on proposed regulations during the open public comment period. There is no required form or template—any email or letter sent to the addresses below will be accepted.
Submit comments by:
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail:
New York State Office of Cannabis Management
P.O. Box 2071
Albany, NY 12220
Be sure to submit your comment before 11:59 P.M. on the final day of the public comment period.
Tips for Submitting a Strong Comment
You don’t need to be a lawyer or policy expert to submit a meaningful comment. The following tips can help you clearly communicate your views and potentially influence final regulations.
Before You Begin:
- Check the deadline. Make sure your comment is submitted before the public comment period closes.
- Read the full proposed regulations. If anything is unclear or confusing, say so in your comment. Feedback about unclear language is valuable.
While Writing Your Comment:
- Be specific. Identify the exact section or subsection you are commenting on. An example of what a citation of a specific section of Part 116 might look like is: § 116.4(a)(2)(i)(b)
- Give your comment a clear subject line or title. Indicate which regulation or program you’re commenting on—especially helpful if multiple regulations are out for comment at once.
- Offer suggestions. If you disagree with something, explain why and suggest alternative language or approaches. Explain how your alternative might meet the same objective or be more effective. If you have information that supports your view, then you should include it.
- Provide supporting information. Use data, research, personal experience, or expert opinions to strengthen your points. When possible, include links or citations.
- Share real-world examples. Explain how the regulation could impact you, your community, or your business—either positively or negatively.
Note: If your comment doesn’t apply to a specific section or you’re unsure where it fits, that’s okay. You can still submit your feedback.
After You Write:
- Proofread. Make sure your comment is clear and complete before submitting.
- Only submit once. Unless you get an error message or delivery failure, you can assume your comment has been received.
- Stay informed. Continue to monitor the Office's website and any Cannabis Control Board meetings for updates on the regulation’s status.
What Happens After You Submit
The Office reviews every comment submitted. Once the review is complete, OCM publishes an Assessment of Public Comment, which summarizes the feedback received and outlines any changes made to the regulations as a result.
This assessment is released after the public comment period ends and before regulations are finalized or revised. You can explore all rulemaking activity using the link below:
Regulations
Unless otherwise noted, the documents available on this page are in PDF format.
The following table contains information regarding OCM regulations that have been adopted or are otherwise in effect:
The following table contains information regarding OCM regulations that are currently in the rulemaking process:
| Date Published in the State Register | Status | Description & Program |
| 9/24/2025 | Public Comment Period Begins: September 24, 2025 Public Comment Period Ends: November 24, 2025 | Part 117 – Cannabis Showcase Events (PDF) |
Comments on the proposed regulations can be submitted by email to: [email protected] or mailed to: New York State Office of Cannabis Management, P.O. Box 2071, Albany, NY 12220.