Cultivators

Cannabis cultivation in New York is a licensed agricultural operation. Cultivators are responsible for strict compliance with security, tracking, harvesting, storage, and reporting requirements at every stage of production.

This page explains cultivation license types, facility standards, harvest and storage rules, and METRC obligations that apply to licensed cultivators.

What This Covers

Cultivation license types
Facility and site requirements
Harvesting, labeling, and storage rules
METRC tracking and reporting obligations
Common enforcement risks

Cultivation License Types

New York authorizes three cultivation categories:

Outdoor cultivation
Indoor cultivation
Mixed light (greenhouse) cultivation

Each license type includes:

Defined canopy size limits
Required security and surveillance standards
Site restrictions and co-location rules

Cultivators may not process, distribute, or retail cannabis unless separately licensed or licensed as a microbusiness.

Facility Requirements

Before licensing and inspection, cultivation sites must meet OCM facility standards.

Core requirements include:

A defined, secure perimeter
Fencing, gates, and controlled access points
24/7 security cameras, including exterior coverage
Visual screening if the site is visible from public areas
Secure storage areas for harvested cannabis
Environmental management plans for water runoff and waste

If the physical site does not match the approved application materials, licensing may be delayed or denied.

Harvesting, Labeling, and Storage

Cultivators must maintain full chain-of-custody records during harvest and post-harvest handling.

Requirements include:

Tagging and scanning each individual plant
Recording wet weight, dry weight, and destroyed material
Using locked, secure storage for all harvested cannabis
Maintaining accurate batch labeling
Processing plant material only if separately licensed as a processor

All transfers require a compliant METRC manifest.

METRC Tracking Responsibilities

Cultivators must use METRC to document every stage of cultivation and product movement.

Tracking obligations include:

Recording plants from seed or clone through harvest
Logging batch weights and storage details
Documenting destruction events
Recording all transfers and sales
Submitting required reports to OCM
Retaining records for at least five years

Falling behind on METRC entries is considered noncompliance, even if physical inventory appears correct.

Enforcement Considerations

OCM closely monitors cultivation operations. Common enforcement triggers include:

Exceeding licensed canopy limits
Missing, damaged, or non-functional cameras
Failure to document destruction of plant material
Transfers without METRC manifests
Inaccurate or inconsistent harvest weights
Missing or late required reports

Cultivation sites should be operated as if an inspection could occur at any time.

What Operators Usually Miss

Canopy limits are enforced strictly
METRC delays are violations on their own
Harvest weight discrepancies raise audit flags
Site changes require approval before implementation
Security failures escalate quickly

When This Comes Up

Site selection and licensing
Facility buildout and security installation
Harvest planning and storage setup
Routine reporting and audits
License renewal or modification

What Happens If You Ignore This

Noncompliance can result in:

Fines and enforcement actions
Mandatory destruction of product
License suspension or revocation
Inability to transfer or sell inventory
Delayed renewal or expansion

License to Launch
Processor License Overview
Distributor Requirements
Microbusiness License Guide
SEE Program Overview