New York has become the latest state to permit adults to cultivate cannabis plants at their own homes for personal use. The state’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved new rules on Friday, February 16, 2024, that will allow residents aged 21 and older to grow up to six plants per household.
Home Grow Rules to Take Effect After Public Comment Period
The new rules are part of the implementation of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which was signed into law by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2023, legalizing the possession and sale of recreational cannabis in the state. The MRTA also included provisions for home cultivation, but the CCB had to draft specific regulations to regulate the practice.
According to the CCB, the new rules will undergo a 60-day public comment period before taking effect. During this time, the public can submit their feedback and suggestions on the proposed regulations, which will be considered by the CCB before finalizing them.
The CCB said that the new rules are based on the existing home cultivation regulations for medical cannabis patients and caregivers, which have been in place since 2023. The CCB also said that the new rules are designed to balance the rights of individuals to grow their cannabis with the public health and safety concerns of the state.
What Do the New Rules Mean for New York Cannabis Consumers?
Under the new rules, adults aged 21 and older will be allowed to grow up to six mature and six immature cannabis plants at their private residences, regardless of the number of people living there. The plants must be grown in a secure and enclosed area, not visible to the public, and not accessible to minors or animals.
The new rules also specify that home growers must obtain seeds or clones from a licensed cannabis retailer or nursery and must not sell or distribute their homegrown cannabis to anyone else. The home growers must also comply with the state and local laws regarding the possession, use, and transportation of cannabis and must not endanger the environment or public safety with their cultivation activities.
The CCB said that the new rules will not have a significant impact on licensed cannabis retailers, as the demand for cannabis products will still be high among consumers who prefer convenience, variety, and quality. The CCB also said that the new rules will not affect the state’s tax revenue from the cannabis industry, as home growers will still have to pay taxes on the seeds or clones they purchase from licensed sources.
New York Continues to Expand Its Cannabis Industry
The approval of the new rules for home cultivation is the latest development in New York’s cannabis industry, which has been growing rapidly since the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2023. The CCB also approved 109 new cannabis licenses on Friday, including 38 for retailers, bringing the total number of licensed cannabis businesses in the state to 27,113.
The CCB said that it is still reviewing nearly 7,000 applications for cannabis licenses and that it expects to issue more licenses in the coming months. The CCB also said that it is working on other aspects of cannabis regulation, such as social equity, environmental sustainability, and consumer education.
The CCB’s chair, Tremaine Wright, said that the CCB is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive cannabis industry in New York and that it is facing some challenges and delays due to the complexity and novelty of the task.
“It’s been a rocky start to 2024,” Wright said. “But we are making progress every day.”