NYC Mayor Shares plan to use public housing rooftops to grow weed

New York Mayor Eric Adams admits his idea of ​​using federal property to grow illegal weed federally might have a few bumps in the road, but he has an idea. He says that by requiring a “waiver,” the state could sidestep federal decisions, avoid conflict, and use that public space.

Adams first shared his idea of ​​a “rooftop greenhouse” at a conference in Albany last weekend. “We want to explore the possibility of having a greenhouse space on the roofs of[the New York City Housing Authority]for growing cannabis,” he said. “The jobs can come from NYCHA residents. Proceeds and training can go directly to employing people in the area.”

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which handles these types of permits and permits, said they were not contacted by Adam’s office. “There’s nothing more to say, marijuana is illegal in public housing,” an email to Gothamist read.

He was asked about his statements on Tuesday and made it clear that overcoming the federal hurdles was one of his priorities. “We have to get through the federal hurdle because the federal government doesn’t recognize legalization in the state right now,” Adams said. “I believe there is a great opportunity for growing cannabis on the NYCHA rooftops with an employment aspect and harnessing the medicinal cannabis aspect.”

However, while he supports the idea, he acknowledges that many steps are required to circumvent federal cannabis laws. “We will sit down with the federal government and the federal authorities, [and] let’s see if there’s a way to get a waiver [and] how we can do it,” he said.

Adams believes the use of these roofs could provide employment opportunities and better use of urban space.

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) receives money from the federal government, which could be jeopardized if marijuana were added to the equation.