The Cannabis Control Board took a major step on Tuesday, September 9, when it approved the creation of the Cannabis Education Advisory Panel (CEAP). This new statewide group will consist of 15 members charged with guiding youth-focused cannabis education and ensuring that resources about cannabis are trustworthy, relevant, and accessible.
According to the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), the panel’s work will help build a consistent framework for cannabis education across New York. The goal is to make sure information shared with students, parents, and community leaders is based on evidence, culturally appropriate, and reflective of the diverse communities it serves.
Felicia A.B. Reid, Acting Executive Director of OCM, called the launch “an exciting step forward” in her agency’s efforts to center public health and community voices. “OCM looks to empower communities to make informed choices and foster a deeper sense of trust in New York’s evolving cannabis industry,” she said. By creating CEAP, the state hopes to make cannabis education more than just a classroom lecture—it aims to embed it into the broader public health conversation.
The panel will also provide guidance on new materials and campaigns, ensuring that cannabis education resources for youth and families remain up-to-date with scientific research. This is especially important as the legal market grows and misinformation circulates online. Having a single advisory body to vet content can help parents and educators feel confident in the accuracy of the information they share.
Community representation is another key element of the new cannabis education approach. Panel members will include educators, public health experts, youth advocates, and people with lived experience. This diversity is designed to make cannabis education not only evidence-based but also relevant to the everyday realities of New Yorkers.
OCM officials say the panel will also coordinate with schools, nonprofits, and local health departments to roll out campaigns and programs. By weaving cannabis education into existing community initiatives, the state hopes to reach young people where they already gather—whether in classrooms, after-school programs, or online.
As New York’s cannabis market matures, initiatives like CEAP show that regulation is not just about licensing dispensaries but about protecting public health and empowering informed choices. With this new advisory panel, the state is setting a model for how thoughtful cannabis education can guide the next generation toward safer, healthier decisions.
