MRTA (Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act)

The MRTA is the New York State law that legalized and governs cannabis. This page gives you a structured list of Articles and Sections so you can find the correct citation quickly.

What the MRTA Does

At a high level, the MRTA:

Legalizes and regulates adult use cannabis, medical cannabis, and cannabinoid hemp
Creates the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) and the OCM
Defines license types and eligibility
Sets ownership and control rules
Establishes operating standards, enforcement powers, penalties, and protections

If you hold or want a license in New York, this statute is the root source of your rights and obligations.

How the MRTA Is Organized

The MRTA is split into six Articles. Each Article governs a distinct part of New York’s cannabis system.

Each Article has its own dedicated page in the left navigation with detailed explanations.

How to Use This Section

Use this page to:

Confirm whether an activity is allowed under New York law
Find the exact statutory section to share with a landlord, vendor, staff member, or counsel
Trace an OCM regulation back to its legal authority

Start with the relevant Article below, then move into the specific Article page for full detail.

Article and Section Index

Article 1 (Sections 1 - 3)

Short title, legislative intent, and core definitions used across the law.

Section 1 (Short Title)
Section 2 (Legislative Intent)
Section 3 (Definitions)

*The MRTA jumps from section 3 in Article 1 to section 7 in Article 2.

This is not an error on our page.

Article 2 (Sections 7 - 20)

Creates the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).
Defines their powers, duties, ethics rules, and rulemaking authority.

Section 7 (Cannabis Control Board Established)
Section 8 (Office of Cannabis Management Established)
Section 9 (Executive Director)
Section 10 (Powers of the Board)
Section 11 (Powers of Executive Director)
Section 12 (Chief Equity Officer)
Section 13 (Rulemaking Authority)
Section 14 (Advisory Board)
Section 15 (Disposition of Fees)
Section 16 (Violations and Penalties)
Section 16 A (Emergency Relief)
Section 17 (Hearings)
Section 18 (Ethics and Transparency)
Section 19 (Public Health Campaign)
Section 20 (Uniform Policies)

Article 3 (Sections 30 - 45)

The medical cannabis program, including patients, caregivers, Registered Organizations, research, pricing, oversight, and legal protections.

Patient Access

Section 30 (Certification of Patients)
Section 31 (Lawful Medical Use)
Section 32 (Registry Identification Cards)
Section 41 (Home Cultivation)
Section 42 (Protections for Medical Use)

Caregivers & Practitioners

Section 33 (Designated Caregiver Facilities)
Section 34 (Registered Organizations)
Section 35 (Registration of ROs)
Section 36 (Reports of ROs)

Medical Operations & Oversight

Section 37 (Evaluation; Research Programs)
Section 38 (Cannabis Research License)
Section 39 (ROs and Adult-Use Cannabis)
Section 43 (Regulations)
Section 44 (Suspension; Termination)
Section 45 (Pricing)

Legal Framework (Article 40)

Article 4 (Sections 61 - 89)

The adult use cannabis framework, including licensing, license types, social and economic equity, operations, and compliance.

Adult- Use Licensing Framework

Section 61 (License Application)
Section 62 (Information Requested in Applications)
Section 63 (Fees)
Section 64 (Selection Criteria)
Section 65 (Limitations of Licensure; Duration)
Section 66 (License Renewal)
Section 67 (Amendments; Ownership & Structure Changes)

Adult- Use License Types

Section 68 (Adult-Use Cultivator License)
Section 68-A (RO Adult-Use Cultivator/Processor/Distributor/Retail License)
Section 68-B (RO Adult-Use Cultivator/Processor/Distributor License)
Section 69 (Adult-Use Processor License)
Section 70 (Adult-Use Cooperative License)
Section 71 (Adult-Use Distributor License)
Section 72 (Adult-Use Retail Dispensary License)
Section 73 (Microbusiness License)
Section 74 (Delivery License)
Section 75 (Nursery License)

Municipal Notification Requirements

Section 76

SOPs and Operations

Section 78 (Record Keeping & Tracking)
Section 79 (Inspections & Ongoing Requirements)
Section 80 (Ownership Restrictions / No Cross-Tiering)
Section 81 (Packaging, Labeling, and Administration)
Section 82 (Laboratory Testing)
Section 83 (Cultivation & Processing Rules)
Section 84 (Distribution Operations)
Section 85 (Retail Dispensary Operations)
Section 86 (Advertising & Marketing

Equity and Reporting

Section 87 (Social & Economic Equity; MWBE; Incubators)
Section 88 (Data Collection & Reporting)
Section 89 (Regulations)

Article 5 (Sections 90 - 111)

Cannabinoid hemp regulation, including licensing, manufacturing, testing, labeling, retail sales, and enforcement.

License & Eligibility

Section 90 (Definitions)
Section 91 (Rulemaking Authority)
Section 92 (Cannabinoid Hemp Processor License)
Section 93 (Cannabinoid Hemp Retailer License)
Section 94 (Cannabinoid License Applications)
Section 95 (Information to Be Requested in Applications)
Section 96 (Fees)
Section 97 (Selection Criteria)
Section 98 (License Renewal)
Section 99 (Form of License)

Compliance and Operations (Hemp)

Section 100 (Transferability; Amendments; Ownership or Control Changes)
Section 101 (Granting, Suspending, or Revoking Licenses)
Section 102 (Record Keeping and Tracking)
Section 103 (Packaging & Labeling)
Section 104 (Processing Standards)
Section 105 (Laboratory Testing)

Oversight & Enforcement

Section 106 (New York Hemp Product)
Section 107 (Penalties)
Section 108 (Hemp Workgroup)
Section 109 (Prohibitions)
Section 110 (Special Use Permits)
Section 111 (Severability)

Article 6 (Sections 125 - 139)

General provisions that apply across the system, including prohibitions, premises rules, permits, penalties, municipal control, court review, and record sealing.

Enforcement & Penalties

Section 125 (General Prohibitions)
Section 132 (Penalties)
Section 133 (Revocation)
Section 136 (Illicit Cannabis)
Section 138 A (Unlawful Business Practices)

Consumer Rights & Protections

Section 127 (Protections for Lawful Use)
Section 134 (Lawful Actions)
Section 138 B (Orders to Seal)

Licensing & Permits

Section 126 (Premises and Transport)
Section 128 (Licenses and Permits)
Section 129 (Laboratory Testing Permits)
Section 130 (Special Use Permits)
Section 130 A (Cannabis Showcase Events)
Section 138 (Access to Criminal History)

Government and Legal Process

Section 131 (Local Opt Out)
Section 131 A (Office as Necessary Party)
Section 135 (Judicial Review)
Section 137 (Prohibited Individuals)
Section 139 (Severability)

Source Material

Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA)

Browse Wiki

State & Local Requirements (Beyond OCM)

New York cannabis operators are regulated by more than the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Every dispensary must also comply with state and city laws enforced by agencies that control zoning, construction, safety, labor, sanitation, and taxes. These requirements apply at every stage, from site selection to daily operations.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

NYC Fire Safety (FDNY)

The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) enforces fire safety rules for all retail businesses in NYC, including cannabis dispensaries. These rules apply regardless of store size, layout, or building type, and inspections can occur at any time.Fire safety violations are common, costly, and can result in immediate enforcement action.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

Why Cannabis Was Legalized

MRTA Article 1; Sections 1–3 establishes the legal foundation of New York’s cannabis law. It explains why cannabis was legalized and defines the core terms regulators use to interpret ownership, eligibility, disclosures, and compliance across the entire MRTA.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

Medical Program (New York Cannabis)

New York’s medical cannabis program operates separately from the adult-use system. Only Registered Organizations (ROs) may cultivate, manufacture, and dispense medical cannabis, and only certified patients and caregivers may purchase it. If you are not operating as, or co-located with, an RO, these rules generally do not apply to your retail operations. Understanding the distinction prevents compliance errors and customer confusion.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

Mailing Restrictions (Cannabis and THC Products)

Cannabis and THC-containing products cannot be mailed or shipped through the U.S. Postal Service or private carriers. This rule applies regardless of license status, destination, or intent. Mailing violations are federal issues and can trigger serious enforcement consequences.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

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Sarah Voelkl

Feb 1, 2026

Special Populations and Community Education

Cannabis affects people differently based on age, health status, and life circumstances. OCM provides specific education materials for certain populations, and retailers are expected to handle these interactions carefully and consistently. Retail staff must provide neutral, factual information and rely on state-issued materials. Medical advice and personal opinions are not permitted.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

Undue Influence, Incentives, and Business Agreements (NYCRR)

NYCRR Title 9, Part 124 sets the rules that govern how cannabis businesses may contract, sell, finance, and work with third parties. These rules exist to prevent hidden control, unfair leverage, exclusive dealing, and financial arrangements that undermine license integrity. This section explains what is allowed, what is prohibited, when agreements create a True Party of Interest (TPI), and how OCM enforces these boundaries.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 13, 2026

Federal Requirements (U.S. Law That Still Applies)

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.

Sarah Voelkl

Feb 7, 2026

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MRTA (Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act)

What the MRTA Does

How the MRTA Is Organized

How to Use This Section

Article and Section Index

Article 1 (Sections 1 - 3)

Article 2 (Sections 7 - 20)

Article 3 (Sections 30 - 45)

Article 4 (Sections 61 - 89)

Article 5 (Sections 90 - 111)

Article 6 (Sections 125 - 139)

Source Material

Related articles

State & Local Requirements (Beyond OCM)

NYC Fire Safety (FDNY)

Why Cannabis Was Legalized

Medical Program (New York Cannabis)

Mailing Restrictions (Cannabis and THC Products)

How to update my email address

Special Populations and Community Education

Undue Influence, Incentives, and Business Agreements (NYCRR)

Federal Requirements (U.S. Law That Still Applies)

Can’t find what your looking for?Tell us what you need.

Can’t find what your looking for?
Tell us what you need.