Gov. Kathy Hochul today initiated an assessment of the Office of Cannabis Management to identify opportunities for improvement and begin implementation of a strategic plan for the long-term success of the legal cannabis rollout. Commissioner for the Office of General Services Jeanette Moy will serve as lead and executive sponsor of the effort, supported by experienced state government leaders.
Moy will embed in the Office of Cannabis Management for at least 30 days to assess the agency’s organization. As part of the plan, several goals have been identified, including:
- Top-down review of organizational structure, processes, and systems with a focus on improving OCM license processing times and application-to-opening timeframes for new cannabis retailers and businesses.
- Develop key performance metrics and an executive-level licensing dashboard to provide the Executive Chamber with a timely, accurate, and comprehensive picture of licensing activity for legal retailers.
- Identify and implement changes to policy, procedure, and regulation — within the bounds of the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act — to streamline the licensing process and simplify application and review for prospective licensees.
- Develop three-month and six-month action plans with organizational change initiatives, milestones, and actions to continue improving agency functions while developing a world-class licensing and regulatory agency for New York states’ cannabis industry.
“Today, we take the first step in revamping New York’s legal cannabis industry to ensure its long-term success,” Gov. Hochul said. “I have full confidence in Commissioner Moy’s ability to identify areas that need improvement, establish standards and processes across agencies, and jumpstart the next phase of New York’s legal cannabis market.
Moy will have access to resources from OGS, the Office of Information Technology Services, and other state agencies. Following the initial 30-day period, the potential for external consulting may be considered to support a second, longer-duration phase of the effort.
Gov. Hochul and others have been critical of the rollout of New York’s adult-use cannabis marketplace in recent months, pointing to delays in handing out retail licenses, confusion among consumers, and frustration on the part of growers.
“We have built a cannabis market based on equity, and there is a lot to be proud of,” New York State Office of Cannabis Management Executive Direct Chris Alexander said. “At the same time, there is more we can do to improve OCM’s operations.
“We owe it to operators across the supply chain and consumers alike, who are looking for more access and opportunity in our budding, regulated market,” Alexander added. “At the end of the day, it’s all about doing what’s right for New Yorkers.”
