Petition to
 

New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)

New OCM Executive Leadership

New York State Legislature & Oversight Committees

 
 Why This Matters
 

New York’s adult-use cannabis program was built on the promise of fairness, transparency, and economic opportunity. Thousands of New Yorkers acted in good faith — investing savings, signing leases, purchasing equipment, leaving jobs, and building compliant business plans — based on guidance issued by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

 

Instead, many were met with silence, sudden policy reversals, and indefinite licensing freezes without advance notice.

 

These actions have caused real financial harm, destabilized compliant businesses, and eroded trust in the agency charged with regulating this industry.

 

With OCM currently undergoing a leadership transition, now is the appropriate and responsible moment to demand clarity, accountability, and a reset toward lawful, transparent governance.

 

Key Concerns
 

We, the undersigned, are calling attention to the following issues:

 

Abrupt licensing pauses without public warning, leaving applicants financially exposed after complying with OCM guidance
Lack of clear timelines or explanations for microbusiness and adult-use licensing pathways
Reallocation of agency resources toward enforcement initiatives while compliant applicants remain stalled
Inconsistent application of OCM’s own rules and regulations, resulting in multiple lawsuits and court challenges
Prolonged silence and limited communication with stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on regulatory clarity
 

This is not opposition to cannabis legalization.

This is a call for competent administration of existing law.

 

What We Are Asking For
 

We respectfully demand that OCM and New York State leadership commit to the following:

 

A public explanation for past and current licensing pauses
A clear, dated roadmap for microbusiness and adult-use licensing going forward
Advance notice requirements before any future policy or licensing suspensions
Transparency regarding budget allocations and enforcement priorities
Formal acknowledgment of court rulings and pending litigation, with steps taken to prevent repeat harm
 

These requests are reasonable, lawful, and essential for restoring trust.

 

 Why This Petition Exists
 

Regulated industries depend on predictability and good-faith governance.

 

When agencies act without warning or accountability, the result is not public safety — it is economic damage and loss of confidence.

 

New York can still lead the nation in cannabis reform — but only if its regulators lead with transparency, consistency, and respect for those who followed the rules.

 

We urge OCM’s incoming leadership to treat this moment not as criticism, but as an opportunity to correct course and rebuild trust.

 

Sign This Petition If You Believe

Agencies must follow their own rules
Businesses deserve notice before policy shifts
Transparency strengthens regulation, not weakens it
New York can do better — and must

  
Sign to demand accountability, transparency, and lawful governance from NYS OCM.