Here stands the next New York governor to legalize marijuana

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation this morning, days after the publication of a damning report that found that he had sexually molested and may face criminal prosecution on several women.

With Cuomo’s departure, New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul stepping into the spotlight in Albany. What does this mean for the upcoming New York adult cannabis market?

The short answer: That’s good news.

Hochul’s position on marijuana legalization has mirrored Cuomo’s position in the recent past: Pragmatic, but not passionate.

It is time to finally legalize recreational marijuana and create an equitable adult cannabis program that is generating much-needed revenue for New York City. # SOTS21https: //t.co/IkciDxTnhW

– Kathy Hochul (@LtGovHochulNY) January 7, 2021

Her most extensive comments came in an interview with Cheddar earlier this year, before New York State legislature passed a legalization bill.

In this interview, Hochul called the legalization in New York “long overdue”. “We need the money,” she said. “People who were hesitant before did not join us to promote this. Now you suddenly say, ‘Well, I think because of COVID, with a budget deficit of $ 15 billion, we have to find money everywhere we can.’ “

Hochul also recognized the importance of social justice provisions in the state’s new legalization law.

“[We] We want to make sure color communities understand exactly what to do with applying for these licenses as soon as they become available, ”she told Cheddar.

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New York’s future with a new governor

As the new governor, Hochul will of course have a nationwide perspective. But she is from Buffalo and was an ally of Buffalo-area MPs Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the powerful Albany legislature who led the struggle for legalization with equity. This could prove to be an important personal connection in keeping the state’s burgeoning cannabis industry and the importance of justice on the new governor’s agenda.

And there is.

Governor Cuomo never loved legalization – either personally or professionally. He was awkwardly urged into accepting legalization by Cynthia Nixon’s surprisingly successful 2018 primary election.

As with any problem, Cuomo supported legalization when it was convenient for him.

As New York’s new governor, Kathy Hochul now has the opportunity to see regulated adult cannabis use as her issue and her own success. A swift, smooth, and well-managed rollout of New York State’s cannabis licensing program and store opening could be one of Governor Hochul’s first great success stories.

Bruce Barcott

Leafly Senior Editor Bruce Barcott oversees news, research, and feature projects. He is a Guggenheim Fellow and author of Weed the People: The Future of Legal Marijuana in America.

View article by Bruce Barcott

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