The Cannabis Control Board is going to be responsible to set up and oversee the rollout of legalized recreational marijuana. The state is expecting it to be in place before the beginning of summer.

The board will be made up of five members, 3 of which will be appointed by Governor Cuomo. They will work with an advisory committee to create the Office of Cannabis Management. In addition they will grant licenses to dispensaries and other cannabis related businesses. Finally, they will also regulate the marijuana business in New York.

One major goal of the law is to ensure that communities hurt by marijuana-related over-policing get a fair shot and opportunity in the business.

New York’s Cannabis Control Board will regulate medical, recreational, and the hemp/CBD cannabis programs. The chair on the board will approve licensing and permit recommendations made by employees at the Office of Cannabis Management. But board members will be able to object to the chair’s decisions in a two-week window.

April 2022 Deadline

Although residents will not be able to sell or purchase marijuana until 2022, some of the regulations will take effect immediately. One change will be residents can grow up to six marijuana plants in their homes.

“We can’t do anything until we have regulations written, so I think the very first job of the board will be to develop draft regulations for all sections of the bill,” said Sen. Liz Krueger (D).

Without the regulations no one can receive licenses, so it will be important to get the regulations out as soon as possible.

The efficiency of the Cannabis Control Board will have great influence on whether New Yorkers will be able to purchase marijuana on April 1, 2022.

But the governor will also have a lot of influence. At this time there isn’t any word on board appointments or an expected timeline.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.