Bill > S08375

This bill establishes the "small cannabis farmer relief act," which provides a pathway for certain cannabis cultivators to temporarily expand their cultivation canopy (the area used for growing cannabis plants) under specific conditions. Eligible licensees include those considered "distressed farmers" who legally cultivated cannabis in 2022 or 2023, as well as microbusiness licensees who previously held an adult-use conditional cultivator license. These cultivators can expand their canopy up to twice the maximum square footage they cultivated in 2022 or 2023, but cannot exceed the maximum limits established for their cultivation tier. The bill requires cultivators to submit verification of their previous canopy size to the cannabis regulatory office, and any denials can be appealed to the cannabis control board. No additional fees will be assessed for these canopy expansions, and all expansions must still comply with existing environmental, security, and testing regulations. The provisions of this bill will be in effect until December 31, 2028, after which they will be automatically repealed, providing a time-limited opportunity for small cannabis farmers to increase their growing capacity.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8375