Getting started

Federal workplace safety laws apply to every dispensary, regardless of size or license status. Cannabis businesses must comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards even though cannabis remains federally illegal. Safety violations can result in inspections, citations, fines, or corrective orders.

New York’s Cash on Delivery (C.O.D.) system is an enforcement mechanism used by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to address unpaid supplier invoices. When a retailer fails to pay a licensed supplier, the supplier may report the delinquency to OCM. Once reported, the retailer is placed on the C.O.D. List and faces immediate purchasing restrictions until the issue is formally resolved.

New York City zoning rules determine where a cannabis dispensary can legally operate. Retail cannabis locations must comply with both NYC zoning requirements and New York State OCM distance rules before a license can be approved. A location that fails zoning, use, or distance requirements cannot receive final OCM approval, even if the application is otherwise complete.