The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) on Tuesday awarded 105 new cannabis licenses and gave its final approval to the state’s cannabis home grow rules, Syracuse.com reports. The agency also introduced Felicia A. B. Reid as the OCM’s interim director following last month’s departure of Chris Alexander, the agency’s inaugural executive director.
The new licensees include 17 retailers, 22 microbusinesses, 25 cultivators, 22 distributors, and 19 processors, bringing the total number of cannabis licenses awarded in New York to 654, the report said.
The home grow rules were first approved by regulators in February. The rules underwent a 60-day public comment following that first approval and no significant changes were made.
“Similar to how people like to brew their own beer or make their wine, it kind of provides that access outside of a regulated framework. I will say there is a prohibition on using volatile solvents like butane or propane … we’ve heard horror stories where people are doing things in garages and basements, so please don’t blow yourselves up.” — OCM Chief Operating Officer Patrick McKeage, via Syracuse.com
The home grow rules allow adults aged 21+ to cultivate up to six mature and six immature cannabis
