The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has provided a set of proposals for New York’s recreational cannabis industry. One such proposal would force existing cannabis operators, or Regisstered Organizations (RO’s), which are responsible for manufacturing and dispensing medical cannabis, to wait three years and pay millions in fees before opening the retail doors to adult use. This will have disastrous affects on not only the state’s cannabis industry, but also New York and its residents, including:

Increased illicit operations and crime

• Today, 1,400+ illicit shops are in operation.

Loss in jobs

• RO operated dispensaries could double or even triple union employees at their stores if allowed to open recreational dispensaries.

Loss of tax revenue

• It’s estimated medical license holders would generate $90-$180 million in adult-use retail sales over 3 years.

Loss in fees

• At $3 million per store, the fee is doable. But if the market delay leads to fragmentation, some operators could find the fee too excessive - leading to millions in lost fees to the state (including fees to support the underfunded and struggling social equity program).

Loss of a thriving NY cannabis market

• The medical patient population has been decreasing. Delaying medical operators will hinder their ability to turn a profit at a critical early business stage and continue to stymy New York market investment.

Make your voice heard. Sign this petition to urge the OCM to reject the proposal limiting medical operators retail access for three years and speed up dispensary licensing!