Will New York Governor Kathy Hochul Set Legal Cannabis In Motion? She says yes

By Maureen Meehan

New York’s 57th Governor, Kathy Hochul, sworn in office this week after the contested Andrew Cuomo stepped down, said she was ready to move on to the state’s potentially multi-billion dollar legal cannabis program as soon as possible, reports The New York Post.

The background

The New York Legal Marijuana Program launched on March 31, 2021 after years of tussle and tense negotiations.

Photo by Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

At the time that Marijuana Regulation and Tax Act (MRTA) has been universally recognized as one of the best in the country for the amount of cannabis to buy and own, home growing, delivery, public consumption and social justice, which includes automatic deletion and reinvestment of up to 40% The cannabis revenue in the communities includes target of the drug war as well as disadvantaged farmers and women.

It all sounded breathlessly exciting until it all suddenly stopped. Why?

Many New Yorkers felt that, like so much in the Empire State, the cannabis program had stalled, or at least stalled for a long time, when Cuomo began the downward spiral to his inglorious resignation after 10 years as governor.

Cuomo had previously been involved in several disputes with the State Senate and nominated neither a managing director for the new Office of Cannabis Management nor a representative for the Cannabis Control Board. The hope was that the New York market would start as early as the spring of 2022.

Enter Governor Kathy Hochul

Former lieutenant governor known for being reluctant (who wouldn’t work under Cuomo?) To use cannabis program that generates much-needed revenue for New York. “

And now Hochul’s chance has come.

Although it is unclear how quickly Hochul can roll out the state program given the precious groundwork from her predecessor, the governor has announced her intention to move forward on the cannabis board and other appointments, the Post reported.

The topic will be part of a private meeting held next week with Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a staunch advocate of cannabis legalization.

“For Governor Hochul, nominating and approving individuals with diverse levels of experience and expertise who represent communities across the state is a priority for Governor Hochul,” said the new governor’s spokesman. Jordan Bennettsaid the post.

“We look forward to working with lawmakers to drive this process forward,” said the Hochul representative.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and was republished with permission.