Overview
SEE PATH (Social and Economic Equity Programs, Assistance, and Training Hub) is your central destination for practical tools, guidance, and education to support SEE applicants and licensees.
This hub brings together resources developed by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and its partners, offering direct access to business readiness programs, webinars, planning tools, and resources designed specifically for equity entrepreneurs in New York’s cannabis industry.
Featured Programs & Resources
Learn more about the core business support programs available to SEE applicants.
Browse the sections in the Table of Contents to view webinar recordings, slide decks, and related resources.
SEE Overview: Background on NY OCM’s SEE program, including certification eligibility, benefits, extra priority information, and step-by-step instructions on applying for initial SEE certification.
Microbusiness Pro Forma Tool: A financial planning tool with templates, videos, and slide decks to help SEE applicants build investor-ready forecasts.
CHIP Academy: A statewide training series focused on regulatory compliance, seed-to-sale, GMP, accounting, and post-licensure operations.
If you need assistance accessing any of the programs or materials on this page, email us directly at [email protected].
What Is SEE?
On March 31, 2021, New York State legalized adult-use cannabis by passing the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA). The legislation established a robust Social and Economic Equity (SEE) program to incentivize participation in this new industry for individuals disproportionally impacted by cannabis prohibition through the implementation of the SEE Plan.
The Cannabis Law automatically expunges past marijuana convictions and mandates the investment of 40% of all adult-use cannabis tax revenue toward rebuilding communities harmed by the War on Drugs.
SEE Certification
To qualify for SEE status, sole control of the applicant must be held by an individual or individuals from a Community Disproportionately Impacted (CDI) by cannabis prohibition, a Minority-Owned business, a Women-Owned business, Distressed Farmers, or a Service-Disabled Veterans.
The person or persons having sole control must match the SEE group the applicant wishes to be qualified as. Please see the applicant overview for further details.
The Cannabis Law establishes a goal of awarding 50% of all adult-use licenses to distinct SEE groups including:
Individual or individuals from a Community Disproportionately Impacted (CDI) by cannabis prohibition
Minority-Owned Businesses
Women-Owned Businesses
Distressed Farmers
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business
Extra priority shall be given to applications that demonstrate that an applicant meets ALL of the following:
Is a member of a community disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition;
Has an income lower than 80% of the median income of the county in which the applicant resides; and
Was convicted of a cannabis-related offense prior to the effective date of the MRTA, or had a parent, guardian, child, spouse, or dependent, or was a dependent of an individual who, prior to March 31, 2021, was convicted of a cannabis-related offense.
Benefits of SEE Certification:
A 50% reduction for a SEE applicants’ application fee.
A 50% reduction for a SEE licensees’ annual license fee.
Qualified SEE applicants will receive priority in accessing adult-use licenses, with an extra prioritization for microbusiness, delivery, and nursery licenses.
Applying for SEE Certification(s)
SEE-eligible applicants can apply for SEE certification(s) by completing the adult-use cannabis license application through New York Business Express (NYBE).
Follow the steps below to apply for SEE certification(s) in your license application:
Use the General Licensing Application FAQ for more information on what is required to complete the AU application and SEE certification(s).
Determine if you are eligible for one or more SEE certification(s).
Review and gather requirements for each SEE category you wish to certify under.
Start the Adult-Use (AU) License Application.
Navigate to the Social and Economic Equity section. Confirm you want to certify under SEE (“Is the applicant applying as a Social and Economic Equity ‘SEE’ applicant?”). This will open the SEE Application for you to complete.
Complete and submit the SEE application.
Complete and submit the AU Application.
Monitor your email for communications from the Office with an update on your AU and/or SEE Application and (if applicable) provide additional documentation and/or information.
If your SEE Application AND your AU License Application is approved by the Office, SEE certification will be associated with your license .
Confirm your SEE certification(s) is/are associated with your license through NYBE.
If you have any questions on your license and/or application, please reach out to [email protected].
For questions on SEE Certification requirements, please reach out to [email protected].
All communications must include your license number and legal entity name.
Microbusiness Pro Forma Tool
Current and prospective microbusiness licensees now have free access to a customized financial operating model designed specifically for their business type.
This tool allows users to input key operating assumptions and generates clear financial projections. The dynamic, driver-based model covers core financial elements, including revenue, operating costs, capital expenditures, and working capital considerations.
With the pro forma Excel tool, microbusiness licensees can:
Forecast costs and revenue
Plan for working capital needs
Populate a business plan document with financial data
Strengthen investment proposals with supporting figures
Users will also gain access to free educational videos and a detailed assumptions page within the tool. This page makes it easy to update inputs and manage financial operations with confidence.
CHIP Academy
CHIP Academy stands as a groundbreaking educational and training initiative aimed at supporting cannabis business owners within the New York cannabis industry.
With a specific focus on addressing compliance and technical issues such as GMP certification and transitioning to different license types, CHIP Academy serves as a vital resource hub for business owners navigating the complexities of the industry. Through targeted educational programs and training modules, CHIP Academy empowers business owners with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate their early post-licensure journey effectively.
View on-demand webinar recordings organized by topic and license type. These sessions are part of OCM’s CHIP Academy and other programs:
Resources
Find downloadable PDFs and one-pagers, including FAQs, compliance checklists, and planning templates for SEE operators.
| NYS OCM’s Social and Economic Equity (SEE) |
| SEE Programs & Initiatives Overview (PDF) |
| SEE Plan (PDF) Additional Languages: Español |
| SEE Applicant |
| Adult-Use SEE Applicant Overview (PDF) |
| Extra Priority – Proof of Conviction Documentation (PDF) | Income Eligibility (PDF) |
| Communities Disproportionately Impacted (CDI) – CDI Map | Proof of Address (PDF) |
| SEE Consumers |
| Veterans & Cannabis Overview (PDF) |