NY Cannabis Delivery License Requirements Explained

What Is a NY Cannabis Delivery License?

A delivery license allows a business to:

• Pick up cannabis from a licensed retail dispensary
• Deliver prepaid orders to verified adult-use customers
• Operate independently or contract with retailers
• Employ trained delivery staff
• Use registered delivery vehicles
• Complete deliveries using METRC and compliant manifests

All cannabis must originate from a licensed dispensary.

Delivery licensees cannot source, store, or sell product themselves.

What You’re Allowed to Do

With a delivery license, you may:

• Transport cannabis products from a licensed retailer
• Deliver only to customers 21+
• Use vehicles registered with OCM
• Track inventory through METRC
• Operate under a contract with one or more retailers

Delivery is a controlled extension of the retail supply chain.

What You Are NOT Allowed to Do

A delivery license does not allow:

• Direct retail sales
• Selling your own inventory
• Cash-on-delivery
• Accepting payment at the door
• Transporting product for unlicensed businesses
• Using personal or unregistered vehicles
• Delivering without a compliant manifest
• Delivering outside legal business hours

Payment must be processed before delivery.

The driver is not a mobile cashier.

Can a Delivery License Sell Cannabis?

No.

A delivery license cannot sell cannabis directly to the public.

All sales must be processed by a licensed dispensary before the product leaves the store.

Delivery is fulfillment — not retail.

NY Cannabis Delivery Vehicle Requirements

Every delivery vehicle must:

• Have a locked, secured storage compartment
• Be GPS-enabled
• Be registered in the state licensing system
• Be assigned to specific delivery manifests
• Be operated only by licensed and trained employees

Vehicles may only be used for licensed cannabis activity during delivery.

Product cannot leave approved routes.

Payment Rules for Delivery

Delivery orders must be:

• Prepaid
• Verified
• Logged in the manifest
• Tracked in METRC

No cash collection at the door.

No “I’ll run your card when I get there.”

Improper payment handling is an enforcement risk.

Delivery Staff Requirements

Delivery employees must:

• Complete Responsible Workforce Training
• Carry valid employee identification
• Follow ID verification procedures
• Follow return and refusal protocols
• Be logged in METRC when handling product

They are regulated cannabis employees.

Recordkeeping and Documentation

Delivery operators must maintain:

• Employee training records
• Route documentation
• Delivery sheets and manifests
• Incident and refusal reports
• Return documentation

All records must be accurate and available for inspection.

Every delivery must match the manifest exactly.

Discrepancies must be reconciled immediately.

What Happens If You Break Delivery Rules?

Common enforcement triggers include:

• Accepting payment at the door
• Missing manifest entries
• Unregistered vehicles
• Improper ID verification
• Inventory mismatches
• Undocumented returns

Violations can result in:

• Fines
• Suspension
• License revocation

Delivery is treated as a high-control supply-chain function.

What Operators Usually Miss

• Delivery is not retail
• Payment cannot happen at the door
• Drivers are not allowed to freelance
• Every delivery must reconcile in METRC
• Vehicles must be registered and secured
• You cannot move product without a manifest

Delivery seems simple.

It is heavily documented.

When This Comes Up

• Applying for a delivery license
• Expanding a dispensary into delivery
• Contracting with a third-party delivery operator
• Preparing for inspection
• Auditing transport and payment procedures

Related OCM Licensing Section Pages

• Adult-Use Retail License
• Microbusiness License
• Processor License
• Distributor License
• Cultivator License
• Registered Organization (Medical)

Source Material‍

• Licensing (OCM)
• Adult- Use Licensing
• Rules by License Type