Medical marijuana patients can now grow their medication in New York

Medical marijuana patients in the state of New York will be permitted to grow up to six cannabis plants at home, according to new regulations issued by the New York State Cannabis Control board on Thursday, Oct. 21. The regulations will remain open to public comment for 60 days, after which the board will implement them into law, granted no changes are deemed necessary. 

The new regulations allow landlords to restrict growing in leases. While landlords will have the ability to limit growth within their leases, they are not permitted to prevent a patient from participating in the program entirely. Homeowners aged 21 and over, on the other hand, will have permission from the state to cultivate marijuana plants at home. 

The burden of preventing minors at home from engaging in marijuana use is placed on patients who decide to cultivate their own marijuana. The plants are also not permitted to be in public view, steps towards odor reduction must be taken, and all plants must be locked and monitored by security devices. Growers will not be permitted to use dangerous chemicals, such as butane, that are often associated with the processing of marijuana. 

Guidelines for the regulations were set by the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. The act allows for a person to grow three mature plants and three immature plants, with a cap of six mature and six immature per household. The act, which also legalized possession of up to three ounces of cannabis, was passed in March of this year. Despite only taking seven months to produce regulations regarding home growing, it is anticipated to take up to two years to legalize recreational sales. 

Anyone interested in growing at home must first obtain a medical marijuana license from the state. All plants, seeds, and flowers must be purchased through licensed retailers. Home growers are not permitted to sell what they grow absent a state license. Home growing allows patients to access their medication more affordably.