The Cannabis Control Board approved new regulations aimed at making sure children do not have access to legal adult-use marijuana.
Legal marijuana will be required to have child-resistant packaging and labeling that clearly states the product contains THC.
Related: New York’s Cannabis Control Board passes licensing regulations
CCB imposes strict cannabis marketing rules
Retail marijuana sellers will likely have to keep their packaging plain.
“None of the stuff that we’re seeing now with cartoons and bright colors. It’s going to have to have that white background with black print with the universal symbol on there stating that it’s for 21 years or older,” said Cannabis Connect CEO Tiffany Walters, according to WTEN.
Additionally, the industry can only advertise in areas where 90% of viewers are at least 21 years old. Billboard advertisements are prohibited.
The regulations differ from California, where adult-use marijuana is also legal. In that state, only 71.6% of the marketing audience has to be at least 21.
BREAKING: When you see this symbol on a product in stores, you’ll know it’s, tested, high-quality New York Cannabis.
We’re submitting this universal symbol to the Cannabis Control Board for its review at tomorrow’s meeting & can’t wait to hear from New Yorkers about it. pic.twitter.com/yuczhD3zQr
— NYS Office of Cannabis Management (@nys_cannabis) May 31, 2022
The CCB’s proposed regulations also seek to promote alternatives to single-use plastics. If plastics are used for packaging, the plastics used would need to have 25% post-consumer content at a minimum.
Related: How does New York’s cannabis licensing rollout compare to other states?
16 additional cannabis cultivator licenses issued
There is a 90-day public comment period to give feedback on the new regulations. You can visit the Office of Cannabis Management website for more details.
The CCB also announced the approval of 16 additional cannabis cultivator licenses on Wednesday, June 1. The Board started issuing cultivator licenses back in April in anticipation of retail licenses being issued later this year.
NEW: New York State’s Cannabis Control Board has just approved another 16 adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses.
162 NY farms are now licensed to grow adult-use cannabis, and you’ll be able to buy this bud at retail dispensaries in 2022.
— NYS Office of Cannabis Management (@nys_cannabis) June 1, 2022
Related: State approves second round of cannabis cultivator licenses
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