New York Applications Open Oct 4th

New York Opening for General Adult-Use Cannabis Licensing

New York State cannabis applications will open to the public on October 4th and will be available for 60 days.

There are strict limitations on the number of licenses an individual can hold interest in, and holding interest in some license types restrict an individual from applying for another type of license. Read blog.

New York General Adult Use License Types:

Adult-Use Nursery Licenses (outdoor, mixed light, and indoor)
Adult-Use Cultivation (outdoor, mixed light, indoor, and combined)
Adult-Use Cooperatives (Cultivation, Cultivation and Processing, Cultivation Processing and Distribution)
Adult-Use Processors
Adult-Use Distributors
Adult-Use Microbusiness
Adult-Use Retail

NY allows applicants to apply either with or without real estate. Applicants without a predetermined location seeking a license would be provided a provisional license after submitting initial information regarding their business and the applicant’s eligibility.

While provisional licensing does have the upside of lowered initial costs and commitments, applicants may lose out on desired locations due setback requirements between retailers. In larger jurisdictions with a population of more than 10,000 residents, dispensaries must be at least 1,000 feet from each other, and this distance is further increased to 2,000 feet.

Due to the risk of being buffered out of your desired area, we strongly recommend securing real estate as soon as possible.

Start Your New York Cannabis Licensing

NY Social and Economic Equity (SEE) Qualifications

NY is setting a goal of awarding 50% of all cannabis licenses to SEE applicants. In addition SEE applicants will have a 50% reduction in all application and registration fees and have access to support on their applications from state resources.

As a part of its commitment to increasing access of cannabis licenses to individuals who have lived in communities disproportionally impacted by cannabis prohibition and other underrepresented groups, including minority- and women-owned businesses, distressed farmers, and service-disabled veterans.

NY is providing additional resources to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) Applicants. Applicants can qualify to be SEE applicants if they meet any of the following criteria:

They are an individual from a community disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition;
a minority-owned business;
a women-owned business;
a distressed farmer; or
a service-disabled veteran owned business.
Any person seeking to contribute to sole control of the applicant must hold at least 1% equity share in the business.
If sole control of the applicant is held by a woman who is also a minority-group member or women who are also all minority group members, the applicant may qualify as a minority owned business, a women-owned business, or both.

Learn More About New York Cannabis Licensing

Cannabis Real Estate Procurement Services

A unique tool available only at WeCann

Improve license application success rate by sourcing correctly zoned properties, in the municipality of your choice, by using our real estate procurement services and accessing custom in-house research processes, zoning, property and regulation maps.

Receive municipality updates to stay on top of your region and not miss cities coming online for medical or adult use.

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About Meilad Rafiei

Equipped with a bristling breadth of experience, Meilad Rafiei provides strategic direction, diverse perspectives, and positive leadership as the CEO of Canna Resource Corporation (CREC) and WeCann.