Medicinal marijuana has been legal in New York since 2014 (and was approved for recreational use years later). That may come as a surprise to many New Yorkers. The ability to access and purchase medical marijuana has been limited. One of the biggest hurdles was the mandate that required patients to buy the drug from a licensed dispensary instead of growing it in their homes.
Seemingly, that doesn’t appear to be an issue. It may be the reason why patients have had problems accessing it. When marijuana is sold through a licensed dispensary, the cost increases. To compound the issue, insurance usually doesn’t cover the cost. And geographically, people were simply too far away from one.
That has since changed. Medical marijuana patients (or their caretakers) can grow plants in their homes months ahead of recreational users. Why? Because there is a formal framework for regulating the cannabis industry. This is where the Cannabis Control Board comes into play.
What Is The Cannabis Control Board?
Passing marijuana legislation is the first (and maybe the easiest?) step in establishing a state’s marijuana industry. For anyone who was frustrated with how difficult it was to obtain medical marijuana, the existence of the Cannabis Control Board should be a welcomed addition. If you had questions about how the market would be regulated, how you could obtain a license to enter the cannabis business, and who would approve you, you now have an answer.
In New York, there is the Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board. The Cannabis Control Board oversees the Office of Cannabis Management—and will be responsible for everything mentioned above.
Why Is There A Need For It?
After legislation is passed, the list of things that happen afterward is robust. In addition to developing a supply chain, there are regulations for how it will be grown (for consumer protection), how it will be sold, and even what the labels on the products must say. That list isn’t exhaustive, either. Bodies such as the Cannabis Control Board have to look at details most of us wouldn’t think of or notice.
For example, can you smoke cannabis in public? Should there be limits on the concentration levels, and if so, what should those be? Again, their scope is to regulate the industry to ensure the safety of New Yorkers.
Andrea L. Gamalski
For more information about New York’s cannabis laws, contact Andrea L. Gamalski to schedule a consultation. We look forward to representing you.
Andrea L. Gamalski Attorneys at Law
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