New York Marijuana Cultivation Capacity Up 32% Since March, Reaching 12 Million Square Feet
- New York’s licensed adult-use marijuana cultivation canopy grew by 32% since March, reaching 12 million square feet by August.
- The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) approved 67 cultivation tier increases and issued 27 new cultivation licenses, adding approximately 127,000 pounds to annual production capacity.
- Social and Economic Equity (SEE) licensees received 24 tier increases, adding about 41,000 pounds of production capacity, and now hold 4.1 million square feet of the licensed cultivation canopy.
- As of August, 313 cultivators are operational based on Metrc’s seed-to-sale tracking, down from an earlier self-reported estimate of 449, with 55% of non-operational cultivators being SEE licensees.
New York’s licensed adult-use marijuana cultivation canopy has increased 32% since March, reaching 12 million square feet as regulators continue expanding the state’s legal supply chain.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) released the figures September 3 as part of its second cultivation review, which uses data from Metrc, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system, to provide an updated look at production and operational activity.
Licensed cultivation canopy increased from 9.1 million square feet in March to 12 million square feet in August, an addition of approximately 2.9 million square feet.
Since March, regulators have approved 67 cultivation tier increases projected to add approximately 127,000 pounds of annual marijuana production capacity. OCM has also issued 27 new licenses authorized to cultivate.
Twenty-four of the tier increases went to Social and Economic Equity (SEE) licensees, representing approximately 41,000 pounds of projected annual production capacity. SEE licensees currently hold about 4.1 million square feet of the state’s licensed cultivation canopy.
The transition to Metrc data has also given regulators a different picture of how many licensed cultivators are actually operating.
As of August, OCM reported 313 cultivators as operational, compared with 449 previously estimated through self-reported survey data. The difference reflects the use of more precise seed-to-sale tracking information rather than necessarily indicating that the number of operating cultivators declined.
Among licensed cultivators that are not yet operational, 55% are SEE licensees.
New York growers have planted approximately 1.64 million marijuana plants so far in 2026, according to OCM. About 57% remain in the ground as the state approaches its outdoor harvest season.
The updated production figures come as New York’s broader adult-use marijuana industry continues expanding. The state has now issued 2,342 adult-use licenses, including 277 cultivator licenses.
OCM said it will continue monitoring cultivation activity, production and consumer demand as the agency makes future decisions regarding licensing and marijuana supply.