Hemp farmers are now eligible to apply for a license to grow adult-use cannabis that will be sold under New York's new marijuana program.

Applications are being accepted online.

If they are approved, farmers can begin planting this year.

The process is part of a larger farm-to-store plan, which will give residents who have been previously convicted of marijuana-related crimes priority in opening retail marijuana shops.

Gov. Kathy Hochul says the sales could begin before the end of the year.