Medical marijuana became legal in New York in 2014. In the last few years, the state’s MMJ program has expanded considerably. Home cultivation of MMJ is legal in NY and is a popular method of getting high-quality, organic marijuana. So how many MMJ plants can you grow with a medical card in New York? Read on for all you need to know.
Can I Grow Cannabis Legally In NY?
Yes, you can legally grow cannabis plants for medical use in New York. All New York MMJ cardholders are allowed to grow a limited amount of medical marijuana in their homes for their own consumption.
Can You Grow CBD Plants In NY?
Some people want to grow hemp plants for the CBD they contain, since CBD has some of the same medical benefits as MMJ. You can grow a limited number of hemp plants in New York if you have an MMJ card.
How Many Plants Can You Grow With A Medical Card In New York?
New York residents who have a NY MMJ card can cultivate up to six medical marijuana plants at home at any one time.
How Much Is A Grower’s License In NY?
MMJ cardholders can grow up to six plants at home without having to get any sort of grower’s license. Businesses that wish to cultivate larger amounts of MMJ to sell must apply for a grower’s license and pay a $10,000 non-refundable application fee and a $200,000 biennially renewing registration fee.
Growing MMJ in New York
Here are our top five tips for growing medical marijuana in New York.
1. Don’t Grow More Than The Legal Limit
Always stay within the New York legal MMJ home cultivation limit of up to six plants.
2. Grow Indoors
Marijuana plants can only grow outdoors if temperatures don’t drop below 59°F. Daytime temperatures in New York drop below 59°F regularly in winter, spring, and fall, so you will get the best results if you grow your MMJ plants indoors in NYC.
3. Protect Your Plants From July Heat
July in New York can be hot, with temperatures rising to the high 80s. MMJ plants do not do well at these temperatures, so on especially hot days, make sure your plants are kept in the shade.
4. Try Auto-flowering Strains
Auto-flowering MMJ strains are more robust and smaller in size than regular MMJ strains. They grow and flower much quicker and can produce multiple harvests each year. Auto-flowering strains are ideal for growing in urban settings such as NYC apartments.
5. Get A New York Medical Marijuana Card
As of December 2021, it is still illegal to cultivate marijuana plants at home in New York if you do not have an MMJ card. Home cultivation for recreational marijuana users is on the cards, but it may take up to a year to come into effect. So for the time being, you must have a NY MMJ card to cultivate MMJ at home.
How Do You Get A New York MMJ Card?
To get a New York MMJ card you need to have a consultation with a state-licensed medical professional. This can be done remotely at the MMJRecs online clinic.
Once your suitability for medical marijuana treatment has been certified by a medical professional, you can submit your application through the my.NY web portal.
What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A New York Medical Marijuana Card?
The following medical conditions will qualify a person for medical marijuana treatment in New York:
- Cancer
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury with spasticity
- Epilepsy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Neuropathy
- Opioid use disorder (only if enrolled in a treatment program pursuant to article 32 of the mental hygiene law)
- Opioid replacement
- Huntington’s disease
- PTSD
- Chronic pain
- A severe debilitating or life-threatening condition that is accompanied by one or more of the following associated or complicating conditions:
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Severe or chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms
- PTSD
- Opioid use disorder
What Can You Buy At New York Dispensaries?
The following MMJ products are available in MMJ dispensaries in New York:
- MMJ flower
- MMJ edibles
- Lozenges, capsules, and tablets
- Tinctures and sprays
- Topicals and lotions
- CBD wellness products
- Powders
- Vape cartridges
- MMJ equipment
What Are The MMJ Possession Limits In New York?
MMJ cardholders can purchase and possess up to a 60-day supply of medical marijuana in New York dispensaries.
Where Is It Legal To Consume MMJ In New York?
In New York, you can smoke or vape MMJ anywhere that smoking tobacco is allowed. However, smoking is prohibited in most public areas in New York, including:
- Outdoor dining areas at restaurants
- Parks
- Swimming pools
- Offices
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Public transport
- Ferries
- Schools
- Beaches
- Motor vehicles
This really just leaves designated smoking areas and private homes in which to consume MMJ in NY.
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