The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) issues all licenses and permits related to medical, adult-use recreational, and cannabinoid hemp businesses in New York State.
The District Office posts documents related to NY State cannabis laws and licensing here.
All Applicants in NYC are required by law to notify their Community District Office between 30 days (minimum) to 270 days (maximum) BEFORE filing an application with the OCM, to give local residents an opportunity to participate in reviewing applications which may impact their daily quality of life.
OCM application types are first reviewed by the Health, Environment & Social Services Committee, which then issues a Recommendation for vote by the full Board.
To request a review date, submit the following to [email protected]:
- SUBJECT LINE: “OCM / [address] / [business name] / [DBA]
- Completed OCM Municipal Notice form – required by State Law; per OCM guidance (p. 43 / #105) if the Municipal Notice Form is missing any of the following information, it is not valid:
- The address of the proposed retail location
- The Applicant Name, phone number or email address
- The type of application for licensure the applicant is applying for
- The county of the proposed retail location
- Signature
- Date
- Completed District Questionnaire – recommended to expedite review
- Proof of Control – recommended to expedite review (p.4 / #6, #7a, #7b)
Submissions will be acknowledged by email within 10 business days:
- All application materials are considered to be entered into Public Record upon submission. If any elements of your submission package should remain confidential for security reasons, please clearly indicate this in your submission email. However, any materials submitted to a Community District Office may be subject to public disclosure via FOIL request.
- Notice of Public Reviews are issued via District Newsletter and in the District Calendar, at least 7 days in advance of any meeting. All impacted or interested residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and share concerns or requests before the Committee votes on a Recommendation.
- All NYC Community Board meetings are subject to the rules of the NY State Open Meetings Law. BKCB2 meetings also include opportunities for public comment and questions on agenda items. Minutes are posted on the BKCD2 Public Drive within 14 days following each meeting, and recordings (when available) are archived on the BKCD2 YouTube channel.
- Due to the time limits imposed on local municipalities by the OCM, the Committee will issue a Recommendation whether the Applicant (and/or Representative) attends their scheduled public review or not. This is required to avoid forfeiting the opportunity for local resident input. Applicants (and/or Representative) are strongly encouraged to participate in their public review to introduce themselves and their business practices to the community.
- The Committee Chair moderates a brief Q&A for each application, beginning first with Board Members, then inviting members of the general public to comment or ask questions for up to 2 minutes each.
- Following Committee-level public review, a Recommendation will be passed to the full Board for their vote at the next available General Meeting. Applicants are not required to attend this session but are welcome to observe.
- Applicants are responsible for tracking all Community Board meeting details via District Newsletter and/or District Calendar.
- Applicants are copied on the final Board Resolution emailed to the OCM.
Remedy of Resident Complaints
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) investigates violations of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). All regulated, licensed dispensaries are listed in the OCM database, and the Dispensary Verification Tool is required to be prominently displayed near their main entrance.
Members of the public are encouraged to understand current NYC laws, and report illegal or noncompliant operators on the OCM Enforcement Portal.