Inspections & Enforcement

This page answers: "What do I need to do before starting buildout on my dispensary in New York?"

Billboard advertising is prohibited for adult-use cannabis licensees in New York. Outdoor signs over 55 square feet within 100 yards or over 16 square feet beyond 100 yards qualify as billboards and are not permitted. Billboards must be removed by February 24, 2026.

Even if cannabis is legal in New York, federal gun law still treats marijuana as illegal. This page explains how firearm rules apply to dispensary owners, investors, and marijuana users.

State-legal cannabis does not protect non-citizens under federal immigration law. Owning, investing in, or working for a dispensary can create serious immigration risk.

Cannabis banking is governed by federal rules that determine whether your account stays open, how you handle cash, and what your bank requires from you. Even though cannabis is legal in New York, it remains illegal at the federal level, which triggers enhanced banking oversight. Banks must follow federal anti–money laundering rules when working with cannabis businesses. Your role is to keep records clean, consistent, and explainable.

Cannabis is legal in New York, but it remains illegal under federal law. Because of that, New York cannabis operators are still subject to a wide range of federal rules enforced by agencies outside the cannabis program. These requirements affect banking, taxes, accessibility, marketing, payments, employment, safety, and risk exposure.

Cannabis businesses are audited for the same reasons as other companies, but 280E, high cash volume, and bookkeeping errors increase risk. This page explains what commonly triggers a cannabis IRS audit and how to reduce exposure.

The December 2025 executive order did not remove 280E or change your taxes overnight. It directed DOJ to complete the federal rulemaking process to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. 280E only changes if a final rescheduling rule becomes effective. This page explains the real federal process and what NY retailers should understand.

Explains what happens after proximity protection, why you still cannot open, what a provisional license allows, and the steps you must complete before OCM issues a final license.