December 2, 2021
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) today announced the opening of an enhanced web-based portal for retailers, processors, manufacturers, and distributors seeking to participate in the Cannabinoid Hemp Program that makes it easier for them to file and update their applications.
“It is exciting to see New York’s cannabis industry taking shape as the Office of Cannabis Management introduces the enhanced application portal for cannabinoid hemp businesses,” said Cannabis Control Board Chair Tremaine Wright. “With regulations now fully in place, and the licensing process advancing, New Yorkers will know they’re purchasing safe, tested cannabinoid hemp products. We are committed to protecting public health and bringing stability to the industry which will, ultimately, help it grow.”
“The opening of this portal is the next and latest step that this Office is taking to build a safer cannabis industry in New York and we look forward to working with cannabinoid hemp businesses to deliver tested, regulated products to the market,” said OCM Executive Director Chris Alexander. “Protecting public health is a central goal of the OCM and one of the key justifications for legalizing cannabis. With so many businesses already selling cannabinoid hemp products, education will be key in making sure businesses come into compliance. We are excited to work collaboratively with the hemp community as we continue to expand the program and the industry.”
OCM’s Cannabinoid Hemp Program is designed to comprehensively regulate cannabinoid hemp products, commonly referred to as “CBD products,” in New York State by establishing consumer protections and quality control standards for the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and laboratory testing of cannabinoid products. The MRTA charges the OCM with implementing the program, which includes engaging in broad public education on these products and enforcing the prohibition on sub-standard products or disallowed forms of cannabinoid hemp products in the marketplace.
As part of the new Cannabinoid Hemp Program, businesses selling cannabinoid hemp products are required to obtain a Cannabinoid Hemp Retail License from the OCM before selling cannabinoid hemp products to consumers. Cannabinoid hemp products include many cannabidiol or "CBD” products available for purchase today, including tinctures, oils, topicals, pills, capsules and food or beverages that are intended for human consumption or application.
The Cannabinoid Hemp Retail License is valid for one year and has an annual license fee of $300 for each retail location where cannabinoid hemp is being sold, including online. Cannabinoid Hemp Products sold in the state must meet the requirements of the regulations by April 25, 2022. The OCM will be reaching out to retailers across the state to notify them of this requirement.
Businesses that have been operating under provisional licenses or permits, and have already submitted the required application information, do not need to take further action after the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved regulations establishing the state’s Cannabinoid Hemp Program earlier this month. These regulations, among other actions, prohibit the sale of Delta-8 THC products and synthetic cannabinoids created through isomerization in the extraction or manufacturing of cannabinoid hemp products as these contain intoxicating qualities that are better left to be regulated in the future adult-use program.
So far, the Cannabinoid Hemp Program has received a total of 2,856 licenses and will be reviewing them and issuing final licenses on a rolling basis. The following is a breakdown of the number of provisional license requests received:
- 403 distributor provisional licenses;
- 35 manufacturer provisional licenses;
- 36 processor provisional licenses; and
- 2,384 retailer provisional licenses.
Please note: Cannabinoid Hemp Program licenses are NOT licenses to sell adult-use cannabis. They are for products derived from hemp with less than 0.3% THC content.