Immigrants are exposed to obstacles in the New York legal cannabis industry

New York's Legal cannabism market, which was achieved for the turnover of 1 billion US dollars for retail sales by the end of 2024, was developed to prioritize equity, especially for communities that are disproportionately affected by previous drug policy. However, non-state immigrants are largely excluded due to federal laws that still classify cannabis as an illegal substance.

Federal Act compared to the legalization of the state

While New York legalized cannabis for adults in 2021 through the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), cannabis remains illegal at federal level. This discrepancy means that non-citizen immigrants who are involved in the cannabis industry are serious immigration consequences, including the rejection of citizenship, the loss of residence status or deportation. Even indirect roles such as testing or security work for cannabis companies can pose risks.

Historical context of discrimination

The union of cannabis with immigrants has a long history in the United States, which goes back to the early 20th century. Anti-Cannabis campaigns often aimed at Mexican and other immigrant communities, which led to the federal government's prohibitions such as the 1937 marijuana tax. These historical prejudices continue to influence the current guidelines and have a disproportionately affect the population of migrants.

Equity measurements and their limits

New York Mrta aimed to remedy earlier injustices by triggering non-violent cannabis convictions and prioritizing licenses for those affected by previous drug laws. While these measures benefit many, they are largely non-state-related immigrants due to the persistent ban on the federal government. Proponents argue that true justice requires the federal reforms to enable the participation of immigrants without being afraid of legal effects.