Delivery Guidance (Adult-Use Cannabis)

Cannabis delivery is tightly regulated. Every delivery must follow OCM rules exactly, from staffing and vehicles to payment, tracking, and verification.

Delivery violations put your license at immediate risk.

What This Covers

• Delivery worker eligibility and training
• Vehicle and transport requirements
• Inventory value caps
• Order, manifest, and logging rules
• Delivery location and handoff rules
• Payment requirements

Delivery Worker Rules

Only qualified employees may perform deliveries.

• Delivery workers must be 21 or older
• Workers must be W-2 employees of the licensed dispensary
• Independent contractors are not allowed
• Workers must carry employee identification while on duty
• Workers must be trained in:
  • ID verification
  • Order verification
  • Transport limits
  • Emergency procedures
  • Safety and theft prevention

At delivery:

• Customer identity must be verified in person using valid government ID
• Delivery must be refused if the customer is:
  • Under 21
  • Intoxicated
  • Not the named recipient

Vehicle Requirements

Delivery vehicles must meet strict standards.

• Vehicles must be owned or leased by the dispensary
• Vehicles must be unmarked
  • No cannabis logos, words, or branding
• Vehicles must remain locked when unattended
• Cannabis must be stored in a locked compartment inside the vehicle

Inventory Caps

Limits apply to the value of cannabis in transit.

• $20,000 maximum in a fully enclosed vehicle
• $5,000 maximum if the vehicle is not fully enclosed (bike, scooter, similar)
• Ground transport only
• Drones and autonomous vehicles are prohibited

Orders and Logs

All deliveries must be pre-arranged and documented.

• Orders must be placed in advance:
  • Online, or
  • By phone
• Orders must be fully paid before leaving the store
• A delivery manifest is required for each delivery run

Required log details include:

• Order number
• Product details
• Customer name and address
• Time the vehicle left the store
• Time of delivery attempt
• Confirmation of ID verification
• Any canceled or failed delivery attempt

All delivery activity must be entered into the state tracking system the same day.

Transport Rules

Delivery locations and handling are restricted.

• Deliveries may only be made to physical addresses within New York State
• Deliveries are prohibited to:
  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Public spaces
  • Vehicles
• Cannabis may never be left unattended during delivery routes

If delivery fails:

• Product must be returned to the store
• The return must be logged in the tracking system

All product movement must be recorded:

• Loading
• Delivery
• Return

Payment Rules

Payment must be completed before dispatch.

• Workers may not accept payment at the door
• Accepted pre-payment methods include:
  • ACH
  • Debit
  • Online payment systems listed in your OCM-approved operations plan
• A receipt must be provided at delivery
• Refunds must:
  • Follow approved store policies
  • Be logged in the tracking system

What Operators Usually Miss

• Contractors are not allowed for delivery
• Payment at the door is prohibited
• Failed deliveries still require full logging
• Inventory caps apply per vehicle, not per order

When This Comes Up

• Launching delivery services
• Hiring or training delivery staff
• Adding vehicles or routes
• OCM inspections or audits

What Happens If You Ignore This

• Delivery privilege suspension
• Violations or fines
• Inventory discrepancies
• License enforcement action

Related Pages

• Inventory Management and METRC
• Cannabis Mailing Restrictions
• Delivery License

Source Material

• Delivery Rules
• OCM Adult-Use Delivery FAQs

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