Welcome to Purple Ocean

The navigation system for New York cannabis.

New York cannabis rules are fragmented. We put the law, guidance, and real-world requirements into one system so you know what applies right now.

Licensing & Ownership

Licensing & Ownership

Who’s allowed to be involved and what NYS requires you to disclose.

See what applies
Daily Operations

Daily Operations

What you have to do every day to stay compliant once you’re open.

See what applies
Products & Safety

Products & Safety

What you’re allowed to sell and how products must be tested and labeled.

See what applies
Inspections & Enforcement

Inspections & Enforcement

What happens during inspections and what to do if something goes wrong.

See what applies
Money, Taxes & Banking

Money, Taxes & Banking

How cannabis money works and why normal business rules don’t apply.

See what applies
People, Labor & Accessibility

People, Labor & Accessibility

Rules for hiring, paying, and accommodating staff, including ADA.

See what applies
Marketing, Advertising & Communications

Marketing, Advertising & Communications

What you can say, text, email, or promote without triggering violations.

See what applies
Medical & Hemp Program

Medical & Hemp Program

Different programs, different rules, separate from Adult-Use cannabis.

See what applies
Reference & Legal Library

Reference & Legal Library

The underlying law and regulations, translated into plain English.

See what applies

Popular questions?

Who counts as a “True Party of Interest” even if they’re not an owner?

Loans, revenue share, management help, or “advice” can trigger disclosure.

How long do I actually have to keep COAs and records?

COAs, sales, inventory, and compliance records must be retained for years, not months.

What rules apply to my store that aren’t cannabis-specific?

Fire code, building code, ADA, labor, and tax rules still apply, and they’re often enforced separately from OCM.

Why can’t I deduct rent, payroll, or marketing expenses?

Federal tax law disallows most business deductions for cannabis operators.

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