As budget negotiations continue to rein in New York's thriving illegal cannabis market, lawmakers create a fund to help New Yorkers affected by marijuana prohibition transition into the legal industry and rein in unlicensed operators. is being promoted.
The Legislature supports Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to speed up enforcement by the state Marijuana Control Board and give local governments the power to padlock illegal marijuana stores. Lawmakers held rallies at the Capitol throughout the week to push for various budget policies to permanently close illegal stores and prevent new unlicensed stores from opening.
They budgeted $500,000 to create a revolving loan fund for people affected by the drug war who want to grow, process, and sell legal adult-use products and cover costs such as start-up costs. I would like to include a dollar fund.
“This is not state taxpayer money that we will never see again,” said Senate Cannabis Subcommittee Chairman Jeremy Cooney. “This is about rotating and creating opportunities for Black and brown cannabis entrepreneurs both upstate and across the state.”
Lawmakers say support for social and economic equity applicants must go hand in hand with stamping out unlicensed operators, as legislative leaders consider various proposals to quell illegal activity. It is claimed that there is.
More than three years after adult-use recreational marijuana became legal, fewer than 100 legal dispensaries remain open in the state. Meanwhile, thousands of illegal stores are operating across the state.
“How can we help those most affected by the failed war on drugs?” Cooney said. “I believe…the way to do it is to give people dollars now to get them in the door, and then they can pay it back at a lower interest rate to give others the same opportunity.” It is to do so.”
The fund was not included in either chamber's budget proposals and was fleshed out as budget talks progressed. It's unclear how likely legislative leaders are to include the proposal in their final spending plan.
Gov. Cathy Hochul's office continues to investigate mismanagement within the Office of Marijuana Control following reports of retaliation. And Thursday's state Supreme Court ruling imposes new hurdles for the agency's operations.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for a bill to be included in the budget that would revoke licenses from companies to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, alcohol and lottery tickets if they are found to be selling marijuana illegally. They argue it would combat the proliferation of smoke shops, dispensaries and delis that sell marijuana without state approval.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said the bill should be passed as soon as possible.
“I don’t know if it will fit within the budget, but if it does, I would appreciate it,” she said.
This week, legal dispensary owners and applicants came to the Capitol to denounce the agency and the Cannabis Control Commission, saying the state is targeting entrepreneurs affected by previous drug laws, the majority of whom are black and brown. He claimed that he broke his promise by not supporting New Yorkers.
Alexander Anderson, executive director of the Harlem Reentry Theater, which helps formerly incarcerated people, served a combined 15 years in state prison for marijuana possession and drug crimes.
Anderson applied for a conditional adult-use retail dispensary license to sell marijuana. This is a state program that prioritizes initial licensure for law enforcement-involved New Yorkers. He said OCM has not responded to his application to date and that OCM is reinforcing systemic barriers to progress for those affected by marijuana prohibition.
“The hurdles we have faced, from arbitrary eligibility standards to unresponsive government agencies, serve as a stark reminder of the injustices inherent in the cannabis industry,” Anderson said. “…Denial not only perpetuates a cycle of injustice against me and my family, it also undermines the fundamental goals of our nation. [Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act]. ”
OCM did not respond to requests for comment.
Josh Mirsky, co-owner of Stage One Dispensary in Rensselaer County, said black market marijuana sales will continue in mature markets, with $8 billion in revenue generated by illegal dealers in California. I pointed out that it was lost.
“We're veterans of the black market, and we're not going to shy away from it,” Mirsky said. “It exists. There's room for everyone to do it, but it's like there's an etiquette, right? And what we're seeing is a lot of people extorting cash. Bottom line. The thing is, we have integrity around our plants.'' We have a love for plants and have always loved plants. That's why we do this work for a living. ”
While Congress supports Hochul's plan to tighten local enforcement, Peoples-Stokes said local police and district attorneys have the necessary powers to shut down illegal stores and clarification is needed. He claims that there is no.
“They take the same oath that we do to uphold state law and the New York State Constitution,” Peoples-Stokes said. “If anyone needs an additional language to understand what their job is, please tell me what that language is. But I don't think that's necessary.”
Congressional leaders did not provide details of the ongoing negotiations, but said there were ongoing discussions about cracking down on illegal smoking shops as well as traditional outlets.
“We don't know yet what that's going to look like, but how do we crack down on illegal illegal businesses?” She said, “It's mandatory, and it's mandatory, and it's mandatory.”
