The Cannabis Control Board approved final regulations allowing certified medical cannabis patients and designated caregivers in New York to grow their own cannabis at home.

This vote paves the way for medical cannabis patients in New York to have a more affordable option to access their medicine.

Under these approved regulations, certified patients or designated caregivers will be allowed to grow up to three mature and three immature cannabis plants at one time; If a designated caregiver is growing for multiple patients, they can grow up to six mature and six immature plants at one residence.

“Today’s approval of the medical home grow regulations is a monumental step forward in improving New York State’s medical cannabis program,” said Tremaine Wright, Chair of the Cannabis Control Board. “We are creating opportunities for patients across the state to access the medicine they need on their own terms, giving those individuals guided autonomy over how they choose to get their medicine, whether it be from the comfort of their own backyards or at their neighborhood medical dispensary.”

“During the process of building the Office of Cannabis Management we recognize that one shoe doesn’t fit all, and today’s vote from the Cannabis Control Board makes sure patients have the options they deserve to get high-quality and safe medicine,” said Office of Cannabis Management Executive Director Chris Alexander. “Since our launch, we have been laser-focused on improving cannabis access for patients in our state’s medical program. Allowing patients or their designated caregivers to grow their own cannabis plants will eliminate many barriers to access, and I’m excited that the Office of Cannabis Management is providing the information and education to help medical patients succeed at home cultivation.”

“What we are building in New York is not exclusive to business opportunities. We are also ensuring that this plant is for the people, especially when it comes to our medical cannabis patients,” said Office of Cannabis Management Chief Equity Officer Damian Fagon. “If today symbolizes anything, let it be a win for the communities throughout the state who have historically been barred from accessing proper health care. I hope we can give peace of mind to those medical patients whose access to this plant is a fundamental human right. Plus, I know New Yorkers have green thumbs, I’ve seen beautiful, impressive grows and farms from one end of the state to the other, and I trust our medical patients and their caregivers will be no different.”

These regulations will go into effect on Oct. 5. The Office of Cannabis Management has created resources for certified patients, designated caregivers, and others here and an FAQ that can be found at https://cannabis.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2022/09/medical-cannabis-home-cultivation-faqs.pdf

Additionally, the Cannabis Control Board voted to approve updated amendments to the regulations for New York’s Cannabinoid Hemp program. The New York State Office of Cannabis Management regulates hemp used or marketed for its cannabinoid content, such as cannabidiol, commonly known as “CBD”. Cannabinoid hemp products include many CBD products available for purchase today, including tinctures, oils, topicals, pills, capsules, and food or beverages that are intended for human consumption.

Some of the changes under these approved regulations include:

Creating a new license type to make it easier for the licensed hemp farmers in New York State to manufacture and sell their own cannabinoid hemp flower products to duly licensed retailers or sell those products themselves if they have a retail license.

Providing requirements for the use of the term “craft” in the labeling and marketing of cannabinoid hemp products.

Removing the requirement that cannabinoid hemp products be shelf-stable, allowing for a broader array of products;

Raising the per serving milligram (mg) cap for dietary supplement cannabinoid hemp products from 75 mg to 100 mg to better align with products in the market;

Requiring cannabinoid hemp processors to include on the label the state(s) where the hemp used to manufacture the product was sourced from;

Adding additional requirements to ensure cannabinoid hemp products manufactured out-of-state meet the requirements of the NY program.

These amended regulations will go into effect on Oct. 5.