New York residents will be allowed to grow marijuana at home: rules, limit and who can do it

In New York state, it will soon become legal to cultivate cannabis at home for personal use. While marijuana was legalized in the state in 2021, it has taken a few years for the rules regarding cultivation, production, and commercialization to be rubberstamped.

This week, the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) previewed some rules regarding at-home cultivation that will soon be approved. The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) must present the rules and allow the public sixty days to comment. Forbes has reported that the rules are likely to be announced next month, meaning that New Yorkers are still a couple of months off from being able to cultivate cannabis in their homes legally.

The rules that are being developed

Those looking to cultivate at home must ensure that no one under the age of 21 will be able to access the cannabis plants.

According to the OCB, six plants will be allowed to be grown at home, with three being mature and three being immature. If there is more than one person interested in cultivating, the total number of plants will be limited to twelve plants, six of which can be mature and six immature.

Additionally, none of the cannabis cultivates can be sold, and no cannabis-based products (i.e., cannabis hash or other concentrates) can be produced from plants grown at home. However, Timeout has reported that home-grown marijuana cultivated by someone without a license will be able to be distributed as a gift; the amount gifted will likely be limited. One should also be aware of any specific local rules that apply to them based on the jurisdiction where they live.

Until these rules have been approved, it remains illegal to cultivate cannabis for recreational use. However, those with a medical marijuana license can cultivate and are subject to another set of regulations.

Those eager to begin growing will need to exercise patience as the rules are finalized.