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What Is a Community Impact Plan (CIP) in NY Cannabis?
New York cannabis retailers must submit a Community Impact Plan during adult use renewal. This page explains when a CIP is required, what must be included, what qualifies as community impact, required partners, budget and timeline rules, evaluation standards, and what happens if your plan is vague or undocumented.
What This Page Covers
- What a Community Impact Plan is
- What must be included in a CIP
- What counts as community impact
- What does not count
- Required partners, budget, and timeline
- Evaluation and reporting requirements
- When this requirement comes up
- What happens if you ignore it
When a Community Impact Plan Is Required
You must submit a CIP:
- When preparing your adult-use renewal application
- During renewal review by OCM
- When prior CIP execution is evaluated
- When planning programming tied to renewal
OCM reviews both what you promise and what you actually delivered in prior cycles.
What You Must Submit in Your Community Impact Plan
Your CIP must include:
- The community need or problem you are addressing
- The population and geographic area you intend to serve
- The activities you will carry out
- Any community partners involved
- A timeline covering the full renewal period
- A budget covering the renewal period
- An evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
If it is vague, it will likely be returned for revision.
What Counts as Community Impact?
Community impact means measurable benefit to people or communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.
The benefit must primarily serve people outside your business.
Examples of acceptable activities include:
- Donations to or partnerships with nonprofit organizations
- Educational programs or workshops
- Workforce development or job readiness support
- Reentry support for justice-involved individuals
- Youth, housing, or food access initiatives
- Community improvement or public benefit projects
The focus is impact, not publicity.
What Does Not Count as Community Impact?
Activities that primarily benefit your business do not qualify.
This includes:
- Marketing or promotional events
- Discounts, giveaways, or sales promotions
- Influencer or brand partnerships
- Vendor relationships supporting operations
- Customer appreciation events
- Any activity where your business receives the primary benefit
If the main result is revenue, branding, or customer acquisition, it likely does not qualify.
Research and Community Partnerships
Your CIP must reflect local research or demonstrated understanding of community need.
You are encouraged to partner with:
- Nonprofits or mutual aid groups
- Workforce and reentry programs
- Educational institutions
- Local associations or municipalities
- MWBE or community service providers
You may collaborate with other licensees, but each licensee must submit its own CIP.
How to Structure Your Activities
Each activity in your plan should clearly answer:
- Who benefits
- Where the activity occurs
- What community need is addressed
- What you will do
- How often it will occur
- Who is delivering it
- What proof you will retain
OCM evaluates clarity and measurability, not size.
Small, documented impact is better than vague ambition.
Timeline and Budget Requirements
Your CIP must include:
- A timeline covering the entire renewal period
- A realistic budget for that same period
There is no minimum required spend.
Your budget may include:
- Cash contributions
- Program expenses
- Materials and supplies
- Transportation or space costs
- In-kind services, including staff time
Budgets should reflect what you can actually deliver.
Evaluation and Reporting Requirements
You must include both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
Examples include:
- Number of participants served
- Funds donated or hours delivered
- Attendance records
- Surveys or written feedback
- Partner verification
You should retain documentation showing the activity occurred and the impact achieved.
What Happens If You Ignore This?
If your CIP is:
- Incomplete
- Vague
- Primarily self-benefiting
- Unsupported by documentation
OCM may require revisions during renewal review.
Failure to execute or document your CIP can create renewal risk in future cycles.
This requirement compounds over time.
Related OCM Guidance Pages
Source Material
- OCM Adult-Use Renewal Community Impact Plan Guidance
