Christian Embler

The board conducted a comprehensive meeting covering various regulatory and licensing matters. Key agenda items included the appointment of a new Executive Director, approval of numerous adult-use cannabis license applications, amendments for cultivation licenses, and renewals for existing licensees. The board also addressed requests regarding non-viable locations, laboratory testing permit renewals, and proposed changes to medical cannabis regulations. Furthermore, the board reviewed and denied several license applications due to issues with application timelines and proof of real estate control. A declaratory ruling request from Gotham Buds LLC was held in abeyance to allow further mediation. Finally, the board discussed strategies for managing market supply and demand, proposing expansion of cultivation tiers and the issuance of additional licenses to ensure long-term market stability.

The Board meeting addressed numerous action items covering the consideration and approval of various adult-use license applications, amendment requests, and renewals. Key resolutions included issuing 36 adult-use cannabis licenses, approving amendments for 41 licensees, and renewing licenses for Adult-Use Retail Dispensaries and Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary applicants. The Board also addressed resolutions concerning establishing amendment fees, approving a Public Convenience and Advantage (PCA) request for Large Leaf 618 LLC, and rendering decisions on two administrative appeals (Stonedhenge Smoke-N-Grow Inc. v. OCM and Frees' Ice Cream Novelties LLC v. OCM). The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) report provided updates on the Seed-to-Sale system implementation, projected inventory capacity reviews, planned regulatory overhaul roundtables, and market performance, noting significant revenue disparities between Long Island and other regions.

The key discussions for this meeting included the consideration and approval of numerous Adult-Use Applications for initial licensing (Resolution No. 2026-01), covering cultivators, processors, distributors, retail dispensaries, and microbusinesses. The Board also addressed various amendment requests for existing licenses and permits (Resolution No. 2026-02). Several items involved license renewals: Adult-Use Applications for Renewal (Resolution No. 2026-03), Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Renewals (Resolution No. 2026-04), and Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Renewals acknowledging SAPA Compliance (Resolution No. 2026-05). The meeting involved granting final approval for Adult-Use Applications that previously received provisional approval (Resolution No. 2026-06). Furthermore, the Board considered and recommended approval for a Registered Organization Change in Ownership (Resolution No. 2026-07). A new schedule for establishing Amendment Fees for certain amendments was proposed (Resolution No. 2026-08). The Board heard matters regarding applications with non-viable locations that requested a determination on promoting public convenience and advantage (Resolution No. 2026-09). Finally, administrative appeals were considered, including the decision in STONEDHENGE SMOKE-N-GROW INC. V. OCM and FREES' ICE CREAM NOVELTIES LLC V. OCM (Resolutions No. 2026-10 and 2026-11). Updates were also provided by the Office of Cannabis Management concerning market performance, workforce composition survey status, and Social & Economic Equity (SEE) statistics.

The meeting included the review and approval of previous minutes from December 18th, and subsequent actions on several resolutions. Key discussions involved the approval of 36 adult-use cannabis licenses, bringing the total licensee count to 2,110, and updates on the licensing queue metrics for November and December. The board also considered and approved amendment requests for 41 licensees, renewals for adult-use licenses (12 applications), and renewals for 30 conditional adult-use retail dispensary licenses. Further resolutions addressed the formal ratification of two conditional adult-use retail dispensary renewals due to an administrative routing error, the final approval for three adult-use applications that were inadvertently issued a final license concurrently with a provisional one, and a change in ownership for a registered organization (VRIO Health New York LLC) to East Ventures. Additionally, the board established an amendment fee schedule for various changes, including ownership and location updates, with fees ranging from $25 to $500 depending on the complexity. The board also heard and approved a request regarding Public Convenience and Advantage (PCA) for Large Leaf 618 LLC in Riverhead, addressing concerns related to zoning restrictions and market scarcity. Two administrative appeals were heard: one concerning Stonehenge Smoke and Grow Inc. (remanded to OAH for further proceedings due to lack of a fact-finding hearing) and the other concerning Freeze Ice Cream Novelties LLC (denied, affirming the ALJ's decision regarding unlicensed activity and THC calculation). The meeting concluded with comprehensive reports from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), detailing Governor Hochul's proposed initiatives for equity and a Center of Excellence, updates on Seed-to-Sale implementation (over $210 million in sales recorded), plans for reviewing cultivation capacity, and scheduled roundtables for adult-use regulation review. The market analysis highlighted significant sales growth across the state, with Long Island showing a 4x higher revenue run rate than the statewide average, and noted a 20% decrease in average retail product prices since early 2024. The Equity Officer also presented a framework for future programming focused on market development, restorative and social justice, access to capital, incubator services, and community engagement.

The meeting included an executive session to discuss litigation matters. Key agenda items covered the approval of adult use applications, resulting in 33 new licenses across cultivator, retail, micro business, and processor categories. The board also considered 20 licensee amendments and approved four card license renewals. A cannabis research license annual report was approved. A resolution was passed to extend the renewal application window for registered organizations to March 25, 2026. The board addressed administrative matters, including delegating chair authority in specific voting scenarios. Several Public Convenience and Advantage (PCA) waiver requests were considered, granting waivers for two retail applications (Twinleaf LLC and SOS Pro Services) but denying the request for Sons of Cannabis. Two advisory opinions concerning local zoning requirements deemed unreasonably impractical (in Riverhead and Southampton) were approved for issuance. The board affirmed the ALJ's decision to vacate an order to seal against M&A 71 Cents Inc due to deficient notice procedures during inspections. Updates were provided on cultivation supply projections, which anticipate a shortfall for the next year due to operational ramp-up times, and monthly retail sales figures, which reached a new high in August. Status reports on Conditional (C) ownership classifications and the utilization of the first round of the CARR Grant program were presented, along with site visit findings indicating significant financial strain on small suppliers. The executive deputy director announced the anticipated go-live date for the Seed to Sale tracking system in December.