Officials in New York have issued 52 licences to allow hemp farmers to begin cultivating cannabis for recreational purposes, a year after state politicians voted to legalise its use.
According to guidance, licensees may cultivate up to one acre of flowering crops outdoors or 25,000 square feet of flowering crops in a greenhouse, using up to 20 artificial lights.
Under the Conditional Cannabis Cultivation Bill they are entitled to cultivate and process recreational cannabis until June 2023.
The licenses were awarded to hemp farmers who have grown and harvested hemp for at least two of the past four years.
More than 150 hemp businesses have submitted applications to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) following the March 15 opening of the online application portal.
In March 2021, the Senate voted 40-23 to pass legislation to legalise recreational use, followed by the Assembly, which voted 100-49 in favour.
