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 licensees.
Browse the sections in the Table of Contents to view webinar recordings, slide decks, and related resources.
License Renewal & Community Impact Plan: Guidance and educational resources to help licensees understand Community Impact Plan requirements, prepare for renewal, and document their community engagement efforts.
SEE Certification: Information on eligibility requirements, benefits (including reduced application and license fees), and step-by-step instructions for renewing SEE certification.
Microbusiness Pro Forma Tool: A financial planning tool with templates, videos, and slide decks to help SEE licensees build investor-ready forecasts.
Cannabis Banking Directory: A statewide resource helping cannabis operators find financial institutions that understand industry needs.
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].
License Renewal
The Adult-Use Renewal Application is now available. All adult-use licensees must submit a renewal application through OCM’s online system no fewer than 60 days and no more than 120 days before their license expiration date. Email submissions are not accepted.
Please Note: Submitting a renewal application does not guarantee approval. All applications are subject to Cannabis Control Board (CCB) review and approval. Under SAPA §401(2), licensees who submit a timely and complete renewal may continue operating while their application is under review.
The renewal application includes:
- Community Impact Plan details, including identified community needs, planned activities, timeline, budget, partnerships, and evaluation metrics.
- Proof of a valid Labor Peace Agreement.
- Employee demographic, wage, and benefits information .
- If applicable, proof of a submitted Notice to Municipality form.
- Submission of the required renewal application and license fee (payment instructions provided after submission).
- Requests to update license tier, authorizations, or location must be submitted separately through the Amendment Survey.
Community Impact Plan
As part of the renewal process, licensees are required to submit a Community Impact Plan (CIP), demonstrating their commitment to social and economic equity goals under 9 NYCRR §§ 120.11 and 121.4. The CIP must outline how the licensee will provide measurable benefits to communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition over the upcoming two-year renewal period.
As part of the adult-use renewal process, licensees must submit a Community Impact Plan (CIP) that explains how their business advances social and economic equity across New York. The session will review requirements, explain how plans are evaluated, and highlight best practices for stronger submissions.
Licensees with questions regarding the Community Impact Plan may contact [email protected].
SEE Certification
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.
SEE Eligibility
To qualify for SEE status, sole control of the applicant must be held by an individual or individuals from a Community Disproportionately Impacted 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.
Renewing SEE Certification
Approved SEE licensees can renew SEE certification(s) by completing the license renewal application.
Follow the steps below to renew SEE certification(s) for your license:
Confirm your entity is an approved SEE licensee. You can view your SEE designation through NYBE.
Complete the license renewal application and confirm your SEE status in the application question: Is ______ an approved SEE licensee?
Monitor your email for communications from the Office with an update on your license renewal application and (if applicable) provide additional documentation and/or information.
After your license renewal application is reviewed and approved by the Office, SEE certification should 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].
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.
Cannabis Banking Directory
Discover Banking Solutions for Cannabis Businesses
The SEE Team is actively working to improve access to banking and financial services for cannabis businesses, addressing one of the industry’s most significant challenges: the lack of reliable financial solutions. To support these businesses, the SEE Team has developed a Cannabis Banking Directory. This resource will connect licensed cannabis operators with financial institutions that understand and cater to the unique needs of the industry.
CHIP Academy
CHIP Academy stands as a groundbreaking educational and training initiative aimed at supporting licensees 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 licensees navigating the complexities of the industry. Through targeted educational programs and training modules, CHIP Academy empowers licensees 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) |