This will take home gardens to new highs.
New York State cannabis regulators on Tuesday unveiled the first rules for budding growers to legally plant pot at home.
Stoners with a green thumb — and over the age of 21 — will be able to cultivate a maximum of six mature marijuana plants and posses up to five pounds of flower or concentrate from those buds per household.
The state Cannabis Control Board could vote on the proposed regulations on Wednesday.
Following their approval, there would be a 60 day public comment period before the rules can go into effect.
The rules drafted by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) also require that:
The clause allowing for home gardeners to grow grass was included in the law approved in 2021 to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the Empire State, but only set to go into effect after OCM came up with detailed rules.
“OCM will continue to work with municipalities across New York to offer support and guidance on this subject,” the agency said.
The proposed regulations, however, don’t apply to those who reside in federally subsidized housing or on federal property, such as New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who famously who lives in an apartment in the Fort Hamilton US Army garrison.
That’s because while New York has legalized marijuana, it is still considered an illicit drug under federal law.
“New Yorkers who live in federally subsidized housing, including in NYCHA, any other Section 8 housing, or US Military Bases, cannot home cultivate cannabis, since marijuana is still federally illegal and could be at risk of losing their housing if they participate in home cultivation,” weed regulators said.
There are currently 53 licensed cannabis stores in the state, 23 of which are in New York City.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams have been belatedly trying to crack down on a much larger black market that includes an estimated 2,000 unlicensed shops illegally selling marijuana in the Big Apple.