New York’s 1st marijuana growing licenses go to 52 farmers

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York authorized 52 licenses Thursday that will enable hemp farmers to get a head start on expanding cannabis for the state’s impending adult market.

The point out Cannabis Control Board permitted the licenses under a modern regulation that will allow hemp cultivators to develop cannabis for the legal leisure market for two a long time. Hemp is a form of cannabis plant with reduced amounts of THC, marijuana’s energetic ingredient.

The granting of the licenses now means farmers will be equipped to consider edge of this year’s rising period and harvest in October, stated Allan Gandelman, a Cortland-based mostly hemp grower and the president of the New York Hashish Growers and Processors Association.

“We have a narrow window here. Most people are planting cannabis in our area all around Could and June. So we’re very much there,” said Gandelman, who been given a license.

The farmers will be limited to 1 acre (.4 hectares) of flowering cover outdoor or a very little additional than 50 % that room in a greenhouse. They also can break up among out of doors and greenhouse grows.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has explained the so-known as conditional cultivation licenses will help “jump-start” what is anticipated to become 1 of the nation’s largest lawful marijuana markets. While New York legalized leisure use of cannabis for older people a year back, statewide retail income show up months off.