In the News: New York Delays Cannabis Farmers Markets; NY Announces THC Limits for Hemp Products; NY Approves Cannabis Pop-up Stores
In today’s “In the News” New York takes center stage with cannabis topics ranging from delaying plans to offer cannabis farmers markets this summer and approving cannabis pop-up stores to establishing THC limits on hemp-derived cannabis products. Read the stories below!
New York Puts Off Opening Cannabis Farmers Markets This Summer
New York had planned to open some cannabis farmers markets this summer to help rile up some disappointing sales numbers, but now has to put the markets on hold. Originally the farmers markets were planned to begin in the early summer, however that did not happen (1).
The markets were being orchestrated under the state’s Office of Cannabis Management but have since stalled on those plans. Aaron Ghitelman, spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis Management told Syracuse NPR station WAER that (1), “no final decisions have been made with respect to farmers markets.”
If the proposal moves forward, it would allow up to three growers to form a partnership with a retailer to sell their cannabis products at non-storefront locations. The hope was to grow and be near retail outlets.
Almost half of the state’s 1,520 municipalities have opted out of adult-use retail according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government (1).
New York began offering recreational sales throughout the state in late December 2022. Many are still hopeful that farmer’s markets will be able to be organized.
New York Announces THC Limits on Hemp-derived Cannabinoid Products
New York cannabis regulators will begin limiting how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be included in products that may contain intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids (2). They will also enforce a new minimum ratio of THC and cannabidiol (CBD).
The new regulations have been sent to the Department of State and may be enacted into law within 60 days. Edible products would then be required to have a 15-to-1 ratio of CBD to THC. These items would also be confined to having no more than 10 mg of THC per package and 1 mg per serving. Another regulation being imposed is that retailers would be prohibited from selling products containing more than 0.5 mg of THC to individuals under 21 years old.
The Big Apple is the most recent state within the US to impose regulations trying to rein in the unregulated market of hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as the popular cannabinoid CBD and cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-9 THC which can cause intoxicating effects (2). Synthetic cannabinoids have already been outlawed but have still found it difficult to enforce.
New York Approves Pop-up Stores for Cannabis Farmers
To help garner up sales in their state, the New York Office of Cannabis Management created the “Grower’s Showcase,” which will help cannabis farmers who have faced difficulties from the uneven ratio of cultivation licenses to retail locations (3). There have been concerns over equitable opportunities in the cannabis industry. With the Grower’s Showcase, both farmers and cannabis supporters in the state are eager to see how this develops.
John Kagia of the Office of Cannabis Management made an announcement on the Grower’s Showcase in a post on LinkedIn (3,4) that stated: “The Cannabis Growers Showcase initiative, a program that allows cultivators to partner with retailers to present and sell their products at non-storefront locations, including on licensed cannabis farms and at events approved by the Office. The CGS initiative will be critical to unlocking the backlog of inventory held by our producers while giving consumers across the state, especially those in areas that do not yet have stores, access to our legal products.”
Recently released data (3) detailed that the New York State Cannabis Control Board is working on opening 212 retail licenses, but this is still not enough to help meet demand and aid the large amount of licensed cultivators.
The New York Office of Cannabis hopes that through allowing cannabis farmers to host pop-up stalls, it’ll help both small and independent farmers by giving them an opportunity to highlight their products to the public. It’ll allow cultivators to be able to engage with consumers, help build their brand awareness, and form loyalties and bonds within the industry.
Cannabis pop-up events will need to be approved by the Office of Cannabis Management. Through these events, the hope is that they will flourish and help the landscape of the constantly changing cannabis industry.
References
- Casacchia, C. New York Delays Plan to Open Cannabis Farmers Markets This Summer https://mjbizdaily.com/new-york-delays-plan-to-open-cannabis-farmers-markets-this-summer/ (accessed Jul 26, 2023).
- Roberts, C. New York Sets THC Limits on Hemp-derived Cannabinoid Products https://mjbizdaily.com/new-york-sets-thc-limits-on-hemp-derived-cannabinoid-products/ (accessed Jul 26, 2023).
- Team, N. Stunning Breakthrough for Cannabis Farmers: New York Greenlights Pop-up Stores at Events https://highlycapitalized.com/business/stunning-breakthrough-for-farmers-as-ny-office-of-cannabis-greenlights-pop-up-stalls-at-events-concerts-in-new-york/ (accessed Jul 26, 2023).
- Kagia, J. John Kagia on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johnkagia_nyccb-nycannabis-nyccb-activity-7087631488468316160-vjWY/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop (accessed Jul 26, 2023).
Collaboration, Gender Diversity, and Progress: Julie Kowalski on Advancing Cannabis Science
December 10th 2024In this interview with Cannabis Science and Technology, Julie Kowalski, an experienced analytical chemist, discusses her path into the cannabis industry, starting with early work in gas chromatography. Kowalski reflects on her perspectives as a female scientist, highlighting biases she’s experienced and the benefits of gender inclusivity in the cannabis space. Greater unity and professionalism could benefit the industry as a whole, she explains. She also encourages collaboration and more women in leadership positions in order to build a stronger scientific community, and also urges women to advocate for themselves, noting that women in cannabis face unique obstacles but often demonstrate consensus-building strategies and solutions.
Ep 24, Part I: Data Transparency in Cannabis Testing with Yasha Khan
November 21st 2024Evan Friedmann interviews Yasha Khan, co-founder of MCR Labs, about his journey into the cannabis industry and his efforts to promote transparency and integrity in laboratory practices. Yasha discusses the origins of MCR Labs, which began in Massachusetts to meet the needs of the soon-to-be legal medical cannabis market. He explains the challenges faced, including result manipulation by labs and the impact on public health. Yasha's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) project aimed to gather testing data from 37 states, revealed significant discrepancies in potency and mold results. Despite some states' reluctance to share data, Yasha has made much of this data public, leading to collaborative research and publications on various aspects of cannabis testing.
Gender Diversity and Innovation in the Cannabis Space: Insights from Tess Eidem, PhD
December 9th 2024Cannabis Science and Technology sat down with Tess Eidem, PhD, PCQI, member of Saturn Scientific, LLC, to discuss her journey from antibiotic research to cannabis microbiology and her observations throughout her career. Dr. Eidem highlights challenges women face in this male-dominated industry, including limited representation in leadership roles and frequent experiences of bias and discrimination. She emphasizes the importance of gender diversity in fostering innovation, improving product safety, and addressing women’s health needs in cannabis applications. Her advice to women scientists is to build strong professional relationships and carefully evaluate work environments to advance their careers in this evolving and often challenging space.
Ep 23, Part III: Accreditation in the Cannabis Industry with Susan Audino
October 24th 2024In Part III of this episode, host Evan Friedmann is joined by Susan Audino, PhD, founder of S.A. Audino & Associates, LLC, and co-founder of Saturn Scientific, LLC, to examine the complexities of sampling in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the need for proper sampling plans, and methods.
