Money, Taxes & Banking

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 remains illegal under federal law and is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This federal status applies nationwide and affects cannabis businesses even in states like New York where adult-use retail is legal. State legalization protects you from state enforcement only. It does not override federal law.

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.

If your dispensary accepts debit cards or uses a POS system connected to a card network, you must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). These rules apply regardless of cannabis legality at the state level.

This section covers the core compliance requirements every dispensary must follow after opening. These are the rules that keep your license active, your records accurate, and your store inspection-ready at all times.

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.

This page organizes official rules, bulletins, FAQs, and memos so operators can work with confidence and avoid compliance risks.

How cannabis sales tax and excise tax work in NY, what your POS must report, and what errors trigger audits or penalties.

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