New York Senator Introduces Cannabis Growing Bill

New York Senator Jeremy Cooney tabled a bill on July 20 to build on the state’s recreational cannabis law and focus on getting the cultivation going.

Cooney’s bill, Senate Act S7295, would create a temporary adult cultivation license that would allow breeders to start planting very soon while the state’s recreational cannabis program comes into effect. “This law allows New York cannabis farmers to plant seeds in the ground so the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana are not delayed for another growing season,” Cooney said in a press release.

He continued, “We made adult recreational marijuana with a promise to invest in communities hardest hit by the failed war on drugs. This bill allows us to deliver on that promise by creating a supply chain of products for retailers in this new economy. “

SB-S7295 is requesting the State Bureau of Cannabis Management to issue a preliminary license unless cultivation licenses have already been issued by January 1, 2022. A provisional license would initially offer a breeder the same benefits as a cultivation license. If neither a provisional license nor a breeder’s license is made available to growers by January 1, 2022, SB-S7295 gives the Department of Agriculture and Markets the power to license until the Office of Cannabis Management can meet its licensing requirements.

The bill justifies a desire to have local growers grow as soon as possible so the state can get things rolling. “The adult cannabis industry is expected to be a multi-billion dollar industry in New York State. To prepare for future cannabis sales, growers and farmers across the state must take advanced steps to source the necessary plants and begin growing them.

The seeds must be planted by June 2022, and the sources of these seeds need to be located even earlier. Because of this, breeders may need a permit before licenses for adult cultivation can be granted, ”the law says.

New York’s street here

New York legalized recreational cannabis on March 31, with a final signature from Governor Andrew Cuomo. “This is a historic day in New York – one that will redress the wrongs of the past by ending harsh prison sentences, embracing an industry that boosts the Empire State economy, and prioritizing marginalized communities with those who have suffered the most suffer the most. “Be the first to reap the benefits,” Cuomo said in a press release.

The signing of the law legalized cannabis use for adults aged 21 and over and removed penalties for having less than 3 ounces on the person (and a larger amount to keep at home). Record attempts to overturn the conviction began immediately, and the state has up to two years to ensure that all convictions are overturned. Residents can grow six plants at home and twelve per household, but not until six months have passed since the bill was signed (which lands in August).

As with most budding recreational cannabis programs in their infancy, cannabis sales weren’t ready to start from scratch. Estimates suggest it could be operational between 18 months and two years from the date Cuomo’s bill was signed, which could mean a launch date by March 2023. In the meantime, the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management will ensure that all major topics of discussion such as cultivation, processing, pharmacies and licenses are covered.

With the official signing of the New York Recreational Cannabis Program, the state has already begun embracing the plant in a variety of ways. Local colleges are planning cannabis-related programs such as graduate certification in “Cannabis Control” from Excelsior College and several cannabis and hemp courses at the State University of New York. Entrepreneurs, like Bob Marley’s son Rohan Marley, view the state as the next big worthwhile investment. With the hope that SB-S7295 passes, it would allow growers to do what they do best – and effectively help the state quickly become one of the largest markets on the east coast.