Politics
New York Governor Signs Bill Expanding State Medical Marijuana Program—With New Rules On Home Grow, Possession Limits And More
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has signed a bill into law updating the state’s medical marijuana program, with revised rules that grant reciprocity to out-of-state residents, streamline the patient certification process, allow adults 18 and older to grow their own cannabis plants for therapeutic use and more.
The legislation from Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D) and Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D), which advanced out of the legislature in June, was signed by the governor on Friday.
Under the newly enacted law, patient certifications will also be valid for two years, rather than one. The reform also removes a requirement that health professionals issuing medical cannabis recommendations must first consult the state prescription monitoring program.
“This legislation reflects New York’s ongoing commitment to compassion, science, access, and equity,” Felicia A.B. Reid, acting executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) said in a press release.
The bill also gives patients more flexibility with respect to possession limits, clarifying that patients are caregivers can have whichever is a larger amount: the designated maximum under state statute or a 60-day supply.
“Patients deserve a medical cannabis program that truly supports their care, and these updates move us closer to that goal,” June Chin, chief medical officer of OCM, said. “By expanding access and modernizing the system, we are ensuring that treatment decisions are guided by evidence, clinical expertise, and the lived experiences of the people we serve.”
The main changes to the medical marijuana law take effect 90 days after enactment.
A justification section of the measure says the “success of the medical cannabis program is critical for patients across New York, and it is appropriate again to update, modernize, and improve the program.”
“The changes sought by this legislation are necessary for an efficient and modernized program that will greatly benefit patients across the state,” it says.
Nakesha Abel, deputy director of scientific programs and research at OCM, said that the “goal of this legislation is to ensure that we were easing access barriers to medical cannabis across the state.”
“By grounding policy in data and patient experience, we’ve built a stronger, more accessible program for all New Yorkers,” she said.
Meanwhile, New York regulators recently celebrated the opening of the state’s 500th legal cannabis dispensary—touting the fact that there have been $2.3 billion in adult-use sales since the market launched, supporting an estimated 25,000 jobs across the industry.
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Meanwhile, given confusion within the marketplace about timelines for provisional licenses, the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) said it will be extending the renewal deadline for conditional adult-use until December 31, 2026.
“This extension provides licensees additional time to secure viable locations and move toward full licensure,” OCM said. “It will also apply to any provisional licenses issued between September 9, 2025, and December 30, 2025, ensuring clarity and consistency for all provisional license holders.”
Part of the uncertainty surrounding provisional licensees concerns a recently identified zoning issue impacting more than 100 cannabis businesses that are apparently located too close to public schools or places of worship than is allowed under current statute. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has said that she will be pushing the legislature to amend the state’s marijuana law to address the issue.
Also, both chambers of the New York legislature earlier this year passed legislation that would extend the deadline for some marijuana businesses to file electronic tax returns, sending the proposal next to the governor’s desk.
If signed into law, the measure would give cannabis manufacturers and distributors 30 extra days to submit their tax returns following the end of each quarterly tax period. Currently the companies have a 20-day window to file the documents, which the legislation would extended to 50 days.
In July, meanwhile, New York officials announced the first round of grants under a $5 million program to help retail marijuana businesses owned by justice-involved people cover startup costs.
Photo courtesy of Philip Steffan.
