The mayor-elect of Rochester, New York, plans a guaranteed basic income from cannabis taxes

One of New York’s largest cities could capitalize on cannabis tax revenue by helping make reparations for impoverished communities hit by the war on drugs.

First reported by Business Insider, Rochester, New York City Mayor-elect Malik Evans plans to promote his city’s Progressive Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) with proceeds from the sale of adult cannabis once the state gives the go-ahead for retailers.

Two weeks ago, Rochester City Council approved a plan for GBI – largely led by Mayor-elect Evans following the departure of former Mayor Lovely Warren. The two-year pilot program will provide 175 qualifying families with $ 500 per month. To qualify, families must live at or below 200 percent of the state’s poverty line. You will receive the monthly payment for a period of one year. At the recent events, the city tour explained the difference between GBI and Universal Basic Income (UBI).

Another 175 families would receive payments for the second year of the program.

Incoming Mayor Malik Evans announces the Rochester Cannabis Preparation Commission to ensure Roc is ready when the state begins issuing marijuana sales licenses. pic.twitter.com/VhkXPx4JHO

– Jayne Chacko (@jaynechackotv) December 14, 2021

Rochester joins Ithaca, New York, to launch a similar basic income program. Programs are already in place in Newark, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California.

The idea of ​​redirecting cannabis tax revenue to finance a guaranteed basic income shows the connection between two problems.

“People in the community said to me, ‘This is a great source of income and blacks and browns are persecuted worse than others for marijuana,'” Evans told Business Insider. An often-cited report by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) identifies the double standards that tarnish the American judicial system: Black people are 3.64 times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than whites, despite almost the same consumption rates. Rochester in particular needs improvement, with 34 percent of blacks in the city falling into poverty compared to 8 percent of whites.

Rochester’s GBI program is funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan (ARP), which several US cities have used to launch GBI programs. Some programs launched this year use either ARP funds, grants from former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, or government funds to help low-income residents.

Prior to assuming the role of Mayor, Evans served on the Rochester City Council and had an extensive background in education and community projects.

“This is an industry with the potential to make millions of dollars,” said Evans. “Everyone wants to start a marijuana business in Rochester.”

In preparation for the possible introduction of cannabis tax revenues, Evans launched the Rochester Cannabis Preparation Commission last week to help the city stay one step ahead, building on the plan of Evans’ predecessor, former Mayor Warren.

On March 31, New York legalized adult cannabis use when former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed law after several years of false starts and other failed efforts.

In a statement, Cuomo called it “a historic day in New York – one that redeems the wrongs of the past by ending harsh prison terms, embracing an industry that grows the Empire State economy, and prioritizing marginalized communities with those.” those who have suffered the most will be the first to benefit. “

Unfortunately, the regulation of the sale of cannabis is not yet complete, so pharmacies will not raise money for Rochester until these details have first been clarified at the state level.

Mayor-elect Evans also plans to ensure an inclusive industry in Rochester. “We need to figure out how to set up our program to make sure we can help entrepreneurs who may not be in the [cannabis industry] in the past, ”said Evans.

New York cities and towns have until December 31st to stop trading or using cannabis. Over 400 cities across New York have already blocked pharmacies. Rochester is one of only four parishes in Monroe County to give the go-ahead.