New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Former Police Officer, Says “Light Up”

Speaking Friday at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition (CWCBExpo), held June 1-3 in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams urged millions of New Yorkers to “light up.” He urged attendees to also support unlicensed businesses during the gray area until the New York market matures.

Mayor Adams was announced in a press release last month as the keynote speaker at New York’s CWCBExpo. Other headline speakers included Weedmaps’ Chris Beals and Greelane Holdings’ Nick Kovacevich. Additionally, Tremaine Wright, Chair of the NYS Cannabis Control Board, shared a rule update.

The mayor didn’t beat around the bush as conference attendees were excited to see what the market would look like. “Have fun, light up, but most importantly – spend some money,” the mayor said.

According to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s fiscal 2023 spending plan, the state is expected to rake in $1.25 billion in cannabis revenue over the next six years.

Though the adult retail market in New York hasn’t officially launched yet, locals say there are secret and not-so-secret clubs, trucks, and gift shops open for business ever since state-approved adult use mushroomed is in March 2021.

The mayor went on to say that he has no intention of cracking down during the transition period, which appears to be in the gray area. “‘Listen, you can’t do this,’ warn them,” Adams said. Additionally, Adams allocated $5 million from his Executive Budget to give New Yorkers the boost they need to apply for adult cultivation licenses.

He also hinted that simple cannabis crimes would be treated as a slap on the wrist and gave some hints on the details. “If they refuse to play by the rules, you need to come back and take some form of enforcement action, like B. A subpoena, such as, you know, to speak about your ability to sell liquor.”

Before becoming the 110th Mayor of New York City, Adams served as a police officer in the New York Police Department (NYPD). In his detailed biography, Adams said he decided to join the NYPD because of a previous incident of police brutality. Adams “was beaten by police in the basement of a county house at the age of 15,” but instead of being defeated, he eventually joined the force himself to make changes and reduce the level of racism in the police force.

Adams even acknowledged the weed trucks that are parked all over New York City and are not yet licensed.

“We need to incentivize those who have their illegal trucks or run the trucks to show them that this is a better way,” he said. “The goal is not to leave people behind.”

CWCBExpo also included dedicated exhibit areas including the Women Grow Pavilion, University Row featuring leading-edge academic cannabis curricula and programs, and the LGBTQ+ Proud Mary Lounge.

Numerous changes in the law were also part of the programme. The day before Mayor Adams’ speech at CWCBExpo, the New York Senate, led by Senator Liz Krueger, passed legislation that would have instituted a crackdown on the illegal possession and sale of cannabis. This bill had to be approved by the state assembly before late last week in order to move forward. But Friday came and went, without a vote, delaying the bill until next year.

Earlier this month, New York regulators approved draft regulations that will set marketing rules under the New York Cannabis Control Board. The New York market is poised to launch late this year or early 2023, and the Mayor of New York is certainly on board.