CAURD FAQ

1) What is the Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License?

Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) Licenses will be the first adult-use retail dispensary licenses issued in New York State. The businesses awarded this license (licensees) will be the first to sell adult-use cannabis in New York State. Licenses will be approved by the Board and issued by the Office.

The Office anticipates receiving many applications. Not all applicants will be approved. To obtain a license, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a competitive application.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for a license, or you apply and are not selected, you may have other opportunities to apply for an adult-use cannabis license in the future. Different license types were outlined in Cannabis Law relating to adult-use cannabis, including retail dispensary, on-site consumption, distribution, cultivation, processing, and more. The Office anticipates releasing regulations and additional details for other license types in the coming months.

2) Who is eligible to apply for a CAURD?

For purposes of this FAQ and your application, the business that will operate your dispensary if you are selected for licensure is the “applicant.” There are two sets of eligibility criteria. Applicants can choose to apply under the qualifying business criteria or the qualifying nonprofit criteria.

To be eligible under the qualifying business criteria, at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant, if it is an entity, must be owned by an individual who is/has:

• Justice involved, as described below;
• Qualifying business experience, as described below;
• Sole control of the applicant, as below; 
• and Significant presence in New York State, as described below

If the applicant is an individual, that individual must be justice involved and own a qualifying business experience, with sole control and a significant presence in New York State, as described below.

In addition, the applicant must be majority owned by justice involved individuals, as described in question 5. Upon application the Office will request documentation evidencing the eligibility criteria above, where applicable. 

To be eligible under the qualifying nonprofit criteria,  at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant must be owned by a qualifying nonprofit organization that has: 

• A history of creating vocational opportunities for current or formerly incarcerated individuals, including justice involved individuals;  
• A history of intentionally serving current or formerly incarcerated individual, including justice involved individuals; 
• At least one justice involved board member, officer, governing committee member, or advising committee member;  
• At least five full time employees;  
• Operated a social enterprise that had net assets or profit for at least two (2) years, defined as a business serving customers, operated by a nonprofit or fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit, which both fulfills the parent organization’s mission and generates revenue. For more information on a social enterprise, please see the CAURD Social Enterprise Definition; 
• Sole control of the applicant, as described in question 6; and 
• Significant presence in New York State, as described in question 4. 

In addition, the applicant must meet the ownership criteria set forth in the Qualifying Nonprofit FAQs.  

All applicants must show that the following are US citizens or permanent residents: 

• all members of a partnership; or 
• if a corporation, each of its principal officers and more than one half of the directors.  

All parties interested in a license must be at least twenty-one (21) years old.

3) What types of businesses are eligible to apply for a CAURD license?  

Any business—regardless of its business structure—can apply for a license. For purposes of this FAQ and your application, the business that will operate your dispensary if you are selected for licensure is the “applicant.” This license will be available only to applicants who meet all eligibility requirements. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you will not be able to apply for CAURD.  

4) What does it mean to have “significant presence,” in New York State?  

CAURD licensees must meet the eligibility requirements listed above in question 2, including having a “significant presence,” in New York State. Significant presence means that the person with sole control and at least thirty percent (30%) ownership of your retail dispensary must also have residency (live in), assets (vehicles, land, etc.), real property (this includes primary, secondary, and/or rental homes), a bank account, or some other connection with or in New York State.  

If you are not sure if your owner has “significant presence” in New York State, please contact the Office at: [email protected].  

Applicants that are eligible under the qualifying nonprofit criteria can meet the significant presence requirement or meet the definition of an applicant in the Cannabis Law by having a principal corporate location in New York State, being organized under the laws of New York State, or by having a majority of the board members be residents or physically present in New York State.

For more information on qualifying nonprofit eligibility please review the FAQs. 

5) What are the ownership and control requirements?

The specifics ownership and control requirements will depend on the structure of the business you are applying as (“the applicant”) and the eligibility criteria you are applying under. Applicants must be led by justice involved individuals.

• For applicants that are individuals or single-owner entities and are eligible under the qualifying business criteria, then the owner must be one justice involved individual who also has owned at least ten percent (10%) of, and controlled, a qualifying business.
• For applicants that are entities with more than one owner and are eligible under the qualifying business criteria, one (1) justice involved individual who also has owned at least ten percent (10%) of, and controlled, a qualifying business must own at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant and have sole control of the applicant. Other justice involved individuals who did not own and control a qualifying business may also be a part of the ownership group. Justice involved individuals combined must own at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the applicant. 
• For applicants eligible under the qualifying nonprofit criteria, the ownership and control minimums are different. For more information on qualifying nonprofit eligibility please review the FAQs.

You must meet these ownership and control requirements to be eligible to apply, and—if selected for licensure—you must continue to meet these requirements for the entire time your dispensary has a conditional adult-use retail dispensary license.

6) What does "control" of a business mean?

Having control over a business means you had the power to order or direct the management, managers, or policies of a business. Often, a person who holds the majority of the voting rights in a business entity will control that entity. You might have had control over a business if you had the authority to:

• approve the business’ operating budget,
• maintain the books or financial records for the business,
• hire or fire executive personnel,
• direct the board, or
• approve contracts for management of facility services (e.g. HVAC, custodial, plumbing, etc).

There are many more ways to have had control over a business. If you’re unsure about whether the justice involved owner of the applicant had control over their qualifying business, contact the Office at [email protected].

Remember—as explained in question 5—one justice involved individual must show they have both owned and controlled a qualifying business (as described in question 19) and that they will own and control the retail dispensary (the applicant).

7) I am a justice involved individual and I have not owned and controlled a qualifying business. Can I become eligible by partnering with someone who is not justice involved but has owned and controlled a qualifying business?

No. As explained in question 6, one justice involved individual who also has owned at least ten percent (10%) of, and controlled, a qualifying business must own at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant and have sole control of the applicant.

8) My CAURD applicant has multiple justice involved owners—do we all need to have owned and controlled a qualifying business?

No. As explained in question 6, only one of those justice involved individuals must have owned and controlled a qualifying business. That individual must also own at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant and have sole control of the applicant. Justice involved persons must collectively own fifty-one percent (51%) of the applicant.  

9) Do I need to own a minority-owned business or woman-owned business or Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certified business in order to be eligible for CAURD?

No, these are not a factor of CAURD eligibility. While some eligible applicants may also be minority-owned businesses, woman-owned business, or be MWBE certified, these factors do not impact eligibility. To be an eligible applicant, the applicant must meet one of the two eligibility criteria described in Question 2.

10) I own a business that has a liquor license. Can I apply for CAURD ?

Yes. Cannabis Law would not prohibit you from owning a business that holds a liquor license and being an eligible applicant for CAURD. However please note that if your application is successful and you are selected for licensure, you cannot hold a license or permit to sell alcoholic beverages on the same premises as the dispensary. Additionally, we encourage you to check with the State Liquor Authority to ensure there are no applicable prohibitions to your liquor license.

11) If I am not eligible to apply for a CAURD license—or if I apply and I am not awarded a CAURD license—will I be able to get an adult-use retail dispensary license or any other cannabis license in New York?

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for this license, or your application is not selected to receive a license, you will have the opportunity to apply for an adult-use retail dispensary license in the future.

The Cannabis Law outlines many different license types including cultivation, nursery, processing, distribution, delivery, retail dispensary, on-site consumption, cooperatives, and microbusiness. The Office will release regulations outlining the eligibility requirements and selection process for those licenses in the coming months. CAURD will not be the only retail dispensary licenses awarded by the Office.

Please Note: An applicant may be banned from seeking future licensing opportunities if the applicant commits fraud on their application.

12) I am an Adult-Use Conditional Cultivator or Adult-Use Conditional Processor licensee. Can I apply for a CAURD license? 

No. While you may be eligible for a license and may wish to apply, the Cannabis Law has restrictions against having an interest in a cultivation and retail adult-use cannabis license at the same time.  

13) Can I invest in multiple CAURD licenses? 

A True Party of Interest (TPI) in a CAURD license can have an interest in up to three adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries. Please monitor the Office’s website for additional information and FAQ related to TPI. 

Please note the Cannabis Law creates a strict two-tier market prohibiting licensees authorized to sell adult-use cannabis at retail from having an interest in any license authorized to cultivate, process, or distribute adult-use cannabis in New York State. Therefore, neither a CAURD licensee nor any of its TPI may have any direct or indirect interest in an adult-use cannabis cultivator, processor, distributor, registered organization, microbusiness, or on-site consumption license, or a permitted laboratory. Please continue to monitor cannabis.ny.gov/licensing for up-to-date rules and guidance related to financial ownership and TPI. 

14) Does a CAURD license permit me to open multiple dispensaries?

No. An application is only for one license. A CAURD license authorizes the acquisition, possession, sale, and  delivery of cannabis from a single premises. Licensees, or any TPI of a retail dispensary licensee, cannot have a direct or indirect financial or controlling interest in more than three (3) CAURD licenses. Please note, the Board does not intend—at this time—to award CAURD licenses in a manner that would result in the same individual having sole control over more than one licensee.

For more information on TPIs and ownership restrictions, see the question above and the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

15) Can a CAURD licensee or a true party of interest in a CAURD licensee gift, grant, or loan capital to another licensee pursuant to a financing agreement?

Any person who is not a financial institution that makes a gift, grant, or loan to a licensee in which they are not a TPI is a financier. No CAURD licensee, nor a TPI in a CAURD licensee, can be a financier to an adult-use cannabis cultivator, processor, distributor, registered organization, microbusiness, or on-site consumption license, or a permitted laboratory.

The Office reserves the right to review all agreements entered by all licensees.

16) I plan to apply for a microbusiness license once the Office makes that license available, but I’m considering applying for CAURD in the meantime. Is this allowed?

Yes. Your interest in a microbusiness license in the future would not preclude you from applying for CAURD at this time, but please note—Cannabis Law creates a strict two-tier market which prohibits licensees authorized to sell adult-use cannabis at retail from having an interest in any license authorized to cultivate, process, or distribute adult-use cannabis in New York State. Therefore, neither a CAURD licensee nor any of its TPI may have any direct or indirect interest in a microbusiness. This means if you apply for a CAURD license—or you are a true party of interest in someone else’s CAURD application—and that application is successful, then you would have to give up any interest in the CAURD licensee before you could apply for a microbusiness license (or any other license or permit that a CAURD licensee is prohibited from having an interest in).

17) How long will a CAURD license be valid for?

The first renewal date for a CAURD license will be two years from the date the license is granted. The license’s conditional period will end four years from the date the license is granted. There will be an opportunity for licensees in good standing to transition to an adult-use retail dispensary license prior to expiration.

18) What does it mean to be a justice involved individual?

A justice involved individual is someone who:

• Was convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State before March 31, 2021; or  
• Had a parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, or dependent who was convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State prior to March 31, 2021;
  • Note: Spouses include those individuals who were in a domestic partnership because they were not legally permitted to marry in New York State prior to the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act (June 24, 2011);
• Was the dependent of someone who was convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State before March 31, 2021. 

As part of the application process, applicants will be required to submit documentation proving this conviction and the convicted individual’s address at the time of their arrest or conviction. If applicable, you will also have to prove the justice involved individual’s relation to the convicted family member.

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

19) What is a marihuana-related offense?

A marihuana-related offense is:

• An offense described under article 221 of the New York State Penal Law (Offenses Involving Marihuana) prior to its repeal on March 31, 2021; or
• An offense described under article 220 or section 240.36 of the Penal Law where the substance involved was marihuana, that occurred prior to the creation of article 221 in 1977; or
• An offense described under section 3382 of the New York State Public Health Law (Growing of the Plant Known as Cannabis by Unlicensed Persons) prior to its repeal on March 31, 2021;
• An offense described under article 105 of the New York State Penal Law where the conduct involved is an offense as described above; or
• An arrest for an offense as described above that ultimately led to a conviction for another offense, such as non-drug offense or lesser offense, by means of a plea deal or other mechanism.

An offense that is otherwise prohibited under section 137 of Cannabis Law cannot be a marihuana-related offense. For more information on Section 137 of the Cannabis Law, see below.

20) I was arrested for a marihuana-related offense but I was convicted of a different offense. Am I justice involved?

Individuals who can provide evidence they (or their parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, or dependent; or someone that they were a dependent of) were arrested for:

• An offense described under article 221 of the New York State Penal Law (Offenses Involving Marihuana) prior to its repeal on March 31, 2021; or
• An offense described under article 220 or section 240.36 of the Penal Law where the substance involved was marihuana, that occurred prior to the creation of article 221 in 1977;
• An offense described under section 3382 of the New York State Public Health Law (Growing of the Plant Known as Cannabis by Unlicensed Persons) prior to its repeal on March 31, 2021;
• An offense described under article 105 of the New York State Penal Law where the conduct involved is an offense as described above; then

the individual may be considered justice involved if they were ultimately convicted of a different offense.

21) I was arrested for a marihuana-related offense and was granted an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (commonly referred to as an ACD or ACoD). The arrest did not lead to a conviction and the charge was ultimately dismissed. Am I justice involved?

No, justice involvement requires a conviction. An adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is not a conviction (See Criminal Procedure Law § 170.55(8)). 

22) I was convicted of a marihuana-related offense and my conviction was conditionally sealed or conditionally discharged. Am I justice involved?

Possibly.  All convictions of marihuana-related offenses in New York State before March 31, 2021 can qualify an individual as justice involved. Convictions that were conditionally discharged or sealed can still mean an individual is justice involved as long as the person can provide sufficient information of the conditionally sealed or discharged conviction. If you had a conviction that was sealed, you can request verification from the Division of Criminal Justice Services that your conviction has been sealed by completing this form.

23) I was convicted of crimes other than a marihuana-related offenses, does that make me ineligible for CAURD?

It depends on the nature of the crimes. Under Section 137 of the Cannabis Law, certain felony convictions trigger a review process by the Board to determine eligibility. These are not automatic disqualifications, however. 

Offenses specifically mentioned in Section 137 include individuals with any of the felony convictions listed below within the past three years: 

• Fraud
• Money laundering
• Forgery or other unlawful conduct related to owning and operating a business
• Hiring, employing, or using a minor in transporting, carrying selling, giving away, preparing for sale, or peddling any controlled substance to a minor; or selling, offering to sell, furnishing offering to furnish, administering, or giving any controlled substance to a minor (NYS PL 221.50).

24) I was convicted of possessing or selling marijuana in a federal court before March 31, 2021, but the offense occurred in New York State and the courthouse where my case was heard was in New York State. Am I justice involved?

No. All offenses identified as a marihuana-related offense are outlined in the CAURD regulations and guidance; no federal offenses are identified as marihuana-related offenses at this time. Justice involvement requires the conviction of a marihuana-related offense; a conviction of an offense that is not a marihuana-related offense would not make you justice involved.

25) I believe I am eligible for a CAURD license because a family member of mine was convicted of a marihuana-related offense. Can you clarify what kind of family relationships make you a justice involved individual?

There are many types of family relationships that make you a justice involved individual, however there are some types of relationships that do not qualify. The below table shows some examples of types of relationships and if they would make an individual justice involved.

26) My family member who was convicted of marihuana-related offense was deported as a result of their conviction, am I still justice involved?

Yes. If your parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, or dependent was deported due to being convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State, or you were the dependent of someone who was deported due to being convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State, then you are justice involved if you can provide documentation of the conviction. 

27) My family member was convicted of a marihuana-related offense, but they have passed away. Am I still justice involved? Can I request my family member’s proof of conviction?

Yes, you are still justice involved if your parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, or dependent, or an individual you were a dependent of, was convicted of a marihuana-related offense in New York State but is now deceased.

Obtaining your deceased family member’s proof of conviction is possible, but may require you to obtain a Certified Death Certificate from the state, city, or town where your family member died before you can request their certificate of disposition or other acceptable documentation.  

The New York State Unified Court System has more information on navigating this process on their website here.

28) My family member was convicted of a marihuana-related offense, but is not able to request their own records because they are disabled or otherwise impaired. Can I request my family member’s proof of conviction for them?

That depends. It’s unlikely that you can unless there unless you have the legal authority to act on their behalf (e.g., through a Power of Attorney or Guardianship).

The New York State Unified Court System has more information on Guardianships on their website here.

29) I was in a same sex domestic partnership when my spouse was convicted of a marihuana-related offense before same sex marriage was legal in NYS – does this make me “justice involved”?

Yes. For the purpose of this license, an individual is justice involved if their spouse was convicted of a marihuana-related offense (as defined above). Spouses include those individuals who were in a domestic partnership because they were not legally permitted to marry in New York State prior to the enactment of the Marriage Equality Act (June 24, 2011).  

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

30) How can I prove that I was a guardian and/or dependent of someone who was convicted of a marihuana-related offense?

In addition to submitting documentation of the marihuana-related offense conviction in question, you would also need to provide documentation of the relationship you have with the individual who was convicted. 

This could include a birth certificate, adoption paperwork, tax forms showing that you claimed an individual as your dependent or that someone claimed you as a dependent, or a legal document showing guardianship or dependency. 

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

31) What is a qualifying business?

A qualifying business is a business that had net profit for two (2) of the years the business was in operation. Any business can be a qualifying business, no matter the type of services it provided, structure of the business, or where it was located.  

As described in question 5, one justice involved individual who also has owned at least ten percent (10%) of, and controlled, a qualifying business must own at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant and have sole control of the applicant. 

For more information on a qualifying business, see the Office’s Qualifying Business publication.

32) I'm a justice involved individual because of a family member's conviction. Can I also count that family members' business experience?

No. Although a family member’s conviction can make you a justice involved individual, you cannot count a family member’s experience owning and controlling a qualifying business as your own.  

As described in question 5, for the convicted family member’s business experience to count towards the license eligibility, that family member would have to own the applicant. That family member would need to own at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant and solely control the applicant.  

33) I am justice involved and have owned and controlled a qualifying business, but I do not own the majority of the business applying for a CAURD license. Am I eligible?

That depends on whether other justice involved individuals also own the applicant. As described in question 5, justice involved individuals must own a majority of the applicant. 

If one justice involved individual who has owned and controlled a qualifying business owns at least thirty percent (30%) of the applicant, then other justice involved owners of the applicant do not need to have owned and controlled a qualifying business. All justice involved individuals combined must own at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the applicant. 

34) I am a justice involved individual and have owned and controlled a qualifying business. Another owner of my CAURD applicant is also a justice involved individual who owned and controlled a qualifying business. We each own 30% or more of the applicant. Whose qualifying business do we list on the application?

You should list the qualifying business of the individual who will have sole control of the applicant, as described in Question 6. Please note, applications will be scored based on specific factors relating to the justice involved individual with sole control of the applicant and such individual’s qualifying business.

35) Can a nonprofit organization be a qualifying business?

No. Under the CAURD regulations, an individual with sole control of the applicant must have owned 10% of a qualifying business, as described in Question 31. Nonprofit organizations do not have owners or shareholders, so the Office does not consider a nonprofit eligible under the Qualifying Business Applicant criteria.  

36) I engaged in business-like activity, but I’m not sure if I owned a business. Can I use this business-like activity as my qualifying business?

The CAURD regulations do not require that a business be engaged in any specific activity in order to be recognized as a qualifying business. Further, the regulations do not require that a business be organized in any specific way to be recognized as a qualifying business. Applicants must be able to demonstrate, however, that the associated business was profitable for two years, and that the justice involved individual held at least 10% ownership interest in, and had control of, said business during those two years of profitability. This can be evidenced by relevant financial documents, including tax returns. The Office may ask for additional information should the documentation you provide not indicate that the applicant owned and controlled a qualifying business. 

37) What kind of documentation do I need to submit to prove that I am eligible for CAURD?

Applicants will be required to submit documents to prove eligibility including: 

• Documentation showing you are justice involved;  
• Proof of where the individual who was convicted of the marihuana-related offense lived at the time of the arrest/conviction; and 
• Proof of ownership and control of a qualifying business.  

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

38) What other kind of documents will I have to submit with my CAURD application?

Applicants will be required to submit a range of documents. This will include: 

• Proof you meet the eligibility criteria; 
• Documents that identify all the individuals, partners, and/or organizations that will own or control your retail dispensary, including their financial disclosures; 
• A business plan for the applicant; and 
• financial documents related to the applicant. 

39) I am justice involved and I owned two profitable businesses, but these businesses were each only profitable for one year. Can I combine profitable time from multiple businesses? Did I own a qualifying business?

No. For a business to be a qualifying business, it must have had a net profit for at least two of the years the business was in operation. While these two years do not need to have been back-to-back years or the most recent years the business operated, a justice involved individual cannot combine profitable years from different businesses to equal a single qualifying business.

40) What if I do not have audited financial statements?

If the applicant was formed within the year preceding the application, you are not required to provide audited financial statements. Instead, you must provide certified financial statements for the period of time the applicant has existed. Certified financial statements are financial statements that have been compiled by an accountant but have not been audited by an accountant. If the applicant has no financial activity, you are still required to provide financial statements. 

If the applicant is an existing business that has been operating at least one (1) year prior to this application, you must provide audited financial statements for that business as part of this application.  

You will not be required to provide financial statements until the final stages of the application process, which will be made clear as you go through the online application. Selected applicants will be notified by the Office when they must submit this as part of their application. 

41) What do I do if I cannot prove where I lived at the time of arrest?

The Board may provide alternative forms of evidence that may be accepted for proof of residency if an applicant is unable to provide documentation listed in section 116.1(t)(1-12) of the CAURD regulations.

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

42) What documentation is needed to prove that I own at least ten percent (10%), and controlled, a qualifying business?

You will be asked to submit tax documents which show that the qualifying business (or social enterprise) was profitable for two (2) years. The Office may accept other documentation if you cannot obtain tax documents for the qualifying business, such as business bank account records or audited financial statements. Documentation must prove that ownership for at least two (2) years and show a net profit during that same period.  Depending on the type of documentation you provide, the Office may ask you to provide additional information to substantiate that you owned a qualifying business. 

For more information on completing your application please review the ‘Completing your Application’ FAQs.

43) I was previously delinquent filing my taxes or paying an amount owed to a local, state, or federal government and I am repaying the debt through a payment plan. Will my application be denied because of this?

No. An individual would not be considered delinquent if they are—at the time of applying—still repaying the debt pursuant to a payment plan or other installment agreement with the government to which the amount is owed. Despite this, it is possible that the circumstances of the delinquency may mean your application would be denied for a different reason, such as if the circumstances of the delinquency would also make the individual a person forbidden to traffic cannabis as set forth in Section 137 of Cannabis Law.

44) How will CAURD applications be scored?

If you are an entity applying under the qualifying business criteria, you will be scored based on specific factors related to the justice involved individual and the qualifying business.  

If you are eligible under the qualifying nonprofit criteria, you will be scored based on specific factors relating to the qualifying nonprofit organization and its social enterprise.  

Please see the Scoring and Selection page for more detail on what will be scored

45) I read through the eligibility criteria for CAURD licensure and don’t meet all the qualifications. Does this mean I won’t be able to get a license to operate a cannabis business in NYS?

No—these licenses are just the first step in building New York State’s cannabis industry. There are additional adult-use license types outlined in New York State Cannabis Law that the Board will be posting regulations in the coming weeks and months. This includes additional adult-use retail dispensary licenses that will not require a justice involved individual who owned a qualifying business. 

46) Can I choose where my CAURD licensed retail dispensary will be located?

All applicants will be selected to operate a retail dispensary location in one of the fourteen (14) geographic regions of NYS.

Applicants eligible under the qualifying nonprofit eligibility criteria will be required—if selected—to secure a suitable location for their dispensary without New York State Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund (Fund) support. This location must be in the regional pool the applicant has been selected for and it must be approved by the Office. The Office will notify selected applicants when they can submit their location for approval. Applicants that are eligible under the qualifying nonprofit eligibility criteria will not be asked to submit their location during the initial application and should not submit locations to the Office until after selection has occurred. These licensees will not be matched to a location from the Fund. 

Applicants eligible under the qualifying business eligibility criteria will be offered support from the Fund, including a location. Future adult-use retail dispensary licenses (and those for on-site consumption sites) will have more flexibility in allowing licensees to choose their own location.  

47) How will CAURD licensed retail dispensary locations be assigned?

After all applications have been scored, applicants will be ranked by score within their first preference region. The top scoring applicants in each region will be selected and provisionally approved. 

48) Will I be able to move my CAURD licensed retail dispensary once it is opened?

If a location is provided and accepted, the applicant is not allowed to move locations during the four (4) year conditional period.  

Please note, pursuant to the Cannabis Law, some local governments have chosen to opt-out of allowing adult-use cannabis retail sales within their jurisdictions. Applicants are not authorized to open a retail dispensary in municipalities that opted out of cannabis retail sales before the State’s January 2022 deadline. Applicants will be required to notify municipalities of their plans to open a retail dispensary and to comply with all local rules and regulations pertaining to the time, place, and manner, not to be unreasonably impracticable as determined by the Board and as described in rules to be promulgated by the Board. 

49) If I’m awarded a CAURD license, do I need to be ready to begin sales right away?

No. If awarded a final CAURD license, the licensee does not need to begin operating immediately. Licensees will have 12 months from final license award to begin retail operations. 

50) If I am awarded a CAURD license, will I be able to run the dispensary from my home as an online delivery-only business?

No. CAURD licensees may be allowed to deliver to customers pursuant to guidance issued by the Office. Any premises licensed as an adult-use retail dispensary must be a store. Other license types outlined in Cannabis Law may allow you to sell cannabis without a physical storefront.

51) What is the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund (Fund)? Is that where I get a loan?

The Office makes available loans through the Fund which licensees will not be liable to repay in the event of a default. Loans will be disbursed by the Fund, operated by a general partner, who will be available to the licensee for any questions. Please note the general partner is not a business advisor–they will not give you advice on business operations.  

Individual lease terms will reflect a market rate rental price for the location provided, meaning locations in more expensive markets may have more expensive monthly fees. Additionally, the licensee will be responsible to pay a program fee to the Fund for their rent of the assigned location and any loans received by the licensee.  

Please continue to monitor the Office’s website for terms related to the Fund. The Office and/or Fund will make available business technical services for applicants for the purposes of accelerating the CAURD’s business plans to open a retail dispensary.  

52) What can I use the loan money for?

Loans offered through the Fund can be used for construction, renovations, and equipment purchasing associated with establishing or developing your retail dispensary. 

53) I have a question about CAURD that is not answered here. Who can I contact?

If your question is not answered here, view the other information on the CAURD website or—if your question is not answered there—contact the Office at [email protected] or call 1-888-OCM-5151 (1-888-626-5151)