One year since law legalizing recreational marijuana in New York State was signed - WRGB
NEW YORK STATE (WRGB) - - - It's been one year to the day since Former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law, making recreational marijuana use legal in New York.
The hope was that this would create a new billion-dollar industry, promoting social and economic equity. However, shops are not yet up and running.
Many say the state has made some progress, but not as much as they had originally hoped when the bill first passed.
They recognize that most of the progress was made under Governor Kathy Hochul, and they hope she continues to move forward with this.
Cuomo signed the law legalizing recreational marijuana on March 31St 2021. This erased past convictions and set up the framework for state- regulated sales of the drug.
When Hochul took office, she established the Office of Cannabis Management.
Since then, the state has relaxed possession limits and had towns/communities across the state make their own decisions on whether they would ultimately allow dispensaries and lounges within their borders.
Hemp farmers have been given the green light to apply for a license to expand their businesses to include the growth of recreational marijuana.
One hemp producer tells CBS6 he believes New York is thinking outside the box and doing things their own way.
David Belsky, CEO of Flower Hire, says "The decision by NYS to allow licensed hemp producers to also apply to become part of the cannabis supply chain was a huge step forward. It was unique to the state of NY, and I expect continued sort of innovation as it relates to regulatory structure and outside-the-box thinking as the recreational market in NY progress."
The state recently announced that the first recreational marijuana licenses will go to those impacted by the war on drugs.
One attorney says this means those who've been convicted of a marijuana-related offense and their relatives will have dibs on the first 100-200 retail cannabis licenses awarded.
Lauren A. Rudick, Attorney for Hiller, PC., says "We've never seen retail be reserved for social equity applicants which is a tremendous accomplishment by the Office of Cannabis Management to get that into place. For that, they deserve congratulations and kudos for the work that went into that. It is an extraordinary accomplishment."
Gov. Hochul says she hopes to get adult-use marijuana sales rolling this year.
source: https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/one-year-since-law-legalizing-recreational-marijuana-in-new-york-state-was-signed
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