Can We Consume On-Site Yet? Operators of licensed cannabis dispensaries in New York are expressing frustration over the delay in establishing regulations for “consumption sites,” where customers could legally consume cannabis on-site. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act of 2021 allowed for the creation of such lounges, but four years later, dispensary owners still cannot apply for licenses to open them. Despite having plans for pot lounges in locations like Midtown Manhattan and The Bronx, businesses are hindered by the lack of official guidelines from the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). While OCM focuses on regulating other aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation and retail, many dispensary operators see the delay as a missed revenue opportunity and a source of ongoing disappointment. Some sources suggest state health officials may be hesitant to approve the lounges due to potential conflicts with the Clean Indoor Air Act. Meanwhile, the state continues to regulate the legal cannabis market, which now includes over 330 dispensaries and has surpassed $1 billion in sales. With still not much word on when we will see on-site consumption lounges in the State.
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