
Daniel T. McKillop
Partner
201-896-7115 dmckillop@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Daniel T. McKillop
Date: December 7, 2020
Partner
201-896-7115 dmckillop@sh-law.comOn October 28, 2020, the New York Department of Health (DOH) filed its much-anticipated proposed regulations to regulate cannabinoid hemp products. The newly-established Cannabinoid Hemp Program will license both cannabinoid hemp processors and retailers and set quality control standards that all cannabinoid hemp products must meet.
“These regulations are the next step toward regulating the growing hemp industry in New York in a way that protects consumers and helps ensure the industry’s long-term viability,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press statement. “Establishing the State’s Cannabinoid Hemp Program to regulate production and sale of hemp and hemp extract will help protect both consumers and farmers.”
While the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp, federal regulations governing the processing and manufacturing of cannabinoid hemp products have not yet been established. New York’s proposed regulations define a number of key terms, including “cannabinoid hemp product,” “cannabinoid hemp processor,” “cannabinoid hemp retailer,” “hemp extract,” and “used for human consumption.” Notably, the DOH broadly defines the term “cannabinoid” as:
any phytocannabinoid found in hemp, including but not limited to, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT).
Under the regulations, any person extracting or manufacturing cannabinoid hemp in New York State is required to obtain a license from the DOH. Among other requirements, cannabinoid hemp processor applications must be accompanied by a summary and description of the products the applicant intends to make, proof of product liability insurance, evidence of good manufacturing practices, and copies of the organizational documents of the applicant. Cannabinoid hemp processor applications must be submitted with a $1,000 application fee or a $500 application fee for applicants seeking only to manufacture, and not extract cannabinoid hemp.
If an applicant is approved as a cannabinoid hemp processor, the applicant must submit the following before receiving the final license: a copy of the certificate of occupancy for the facility, a copy of the applicant’s evidence of a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit, and the license fee of $4,500 for extracting or $2,000 for manufacturing only.
The proposed regulations require any person selling cannabinoid hemp to consumers to obtain a license from the Department. Among other requirements, cannabinoid hemp retail applications must be accompanied by a summary and description of the type of cannabinoid hemp products the retailer intends to sell, the name and state or country of origin of any manufacturers the retailer intends to source from, an attestation that the applicant will not sell inhalable cannabinoid hemp products to consumers under 21 years old, and proof of a certificate of authority from the Department of Taxation and Finance. All applications must be submitted with a $300 license fee for each retail location to be licensed by the Department.
The DOH regulations also establish basic manufacturing, packaging and labeling and laboratory testing standards. Below are a few highlights:
The DOH’s hemp regulations establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for CBD and other hemp products, addressing many issues that have previously been left unaddressed by state and federal agencies. Businesses interested in entering New York’s hemp industry should review the regulations thoroughly. According to the DOH, applications for cannabinoid hemp processing and retailing licenses are under development and should be available in early 2021.
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Dan McKillop, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work, at 201-896-4100.
This article is a part of a series pertaining to cannabis legalization in New Jersey and the United States at large. Prior articles in this series are below:
Disclaimer: Possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of cannabis is a Federal crime and is subject to related Federal policy. Legal advice provided by Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is designed to counsel clients regarding the validity, scope, meaning, and application of existing and/or proposed cannabis law. Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC will not provide assistance in circumventing Federal or state cannabis law or policy, and advice provided by our office should not be construed as such.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Since his inauguration two months ago, Donald Trump’s administration and the Congress it controls have indicated important upcoming policy changes. These changes will impact financial services policies and priorities. The changes will particularly affect cryptocurrency, as well as banking rules and regulations. Key Regulatory Changes in Cryptocurrency For example, in the burgeoning cryptocurrency business environment, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The retail sector has experienced a wave of bankruptcy filings over the last year. Brick-and-mortar businesses in financial distress include big-name brands like Big Lots, Party City, The Container Store, and Vitamin Shoppe. When large retailers seek bankruptcy protection, they are not the only businesses impacted. Landlords can be particularly hard hit. While commercial landlords […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
The bankruptcy legal landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for businesses navigating financial distress. Understanding current bankruptcy trends can help businesses make more informed and strategic decisions. Corporate Bankruptcy Filings Trending Upwards Bankruptcy filings continued to trend upwards in 2024. According to statistics released by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, personal and business […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
In December, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against two privately held companies for failing to file a Form D notice, which is generally utilized for exempt securities offerings. Here, the SEC’s enforcement sends a strong message: compliance with regulatory requirements is not optional and failure to comply can have significant consequences. […]
Author: Kenneth C. Oh
On February 14, 2025, the Office of General Counsel (OGC) of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) under Acting General Counsel William B. Cowen issued Memorandum 25-05, “New Process for More Efficient, Effective, Accessible and Transparent Case handling.” The Memorandum rescinds nearly all of the Memoranda issued by his direct predecessor, Jennifer Abruzzo, setting the […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
If you purchase real property from a foreign person or entity, you may be required to withhold taxes from your payment to the seller under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA). The federal tax law is designed to ensure that foreign sellers pay any applicable capital gains tax on profits realized from […]
Author: Jesse M. Dimitro
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!