New York’s governor has introduced legislation to increase the enforcement authority to crackdown on illegal marijuana retailers, as the state struggles with regulating the adult-use market.
This action follows a request by Assembly Republicans to the administration for an audit of the state’s recreational marijuana program.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), announced Wednesday that her program bill would amend New York’s cannabis law. It will give regulators at the Office of Cannabis Management, Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF), and law enforcement increased authority to eradicate the hundreds of illegal New York businesses.
Illicit sellers could be subject to fines of up to $10,000 per day if they sell cannabis products without a license. Illicit operators are far more numerous than businesses operating in the regulated sector.
Hochul stated in a press release that “Over the last few weeks I have been working alongside the legislature to improve New York’s regulatory structure for marijuana products.” “The existence of illegal dispensaries in New York is unacceptable. We need additional enforcement tools to protect New Yorkers and support equity initiatives.”
Under the proposal, illegal growers and manufacturers of marijuana could be subject to fines up to $200,000.
The Assembly Republicans also put the administration on notice regarding the “proliferation illegal shops,” which legislators said was “completely predictable” in a Wednesday letter.
Assembly Republicans wrote to Gov. Hochul and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli wrote today to Gov. pic.twitter.com/00M5ZDbfRm
— NY Assembly GOP (@NYS_AM March 22, 2023
They stated that “Prior the passage of [legalization legislation], concerns were raised about the legalization cannabis opening up a market.” “Because it is the state that created the market conditions we are interested in knowing how the state officials plan to respond.”
The Coalition for Access to Regulated and Safe Cannabis, which represents many well-known multistate marijuana companies that operate medical cannabis businesses in New York, filed a lawsuit against OCM at the state Superior Court. The coalition claims that state regulators violated marijuana law by preventing vertically integrated “registered organisations” from the initial licensing rollout, and instead prioritizing individuals from areas harmed by the war on drugs.
The businesses are asking for the court to order that retail licenses be approved more widely.
As it stands now, New Yorkers are not able to access nearby legal adult-use dispensaries. Only five shops have opened their doors, as regulators try to prioritize social equity applicants who have been the most affected by the drug war.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1000 cannabis, psychedelics, and drug policy bills in the state legislatures and Congress this yea. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25 per month get access to our interactive maps and charts, as well as a hearing calendar, so they don’t miss any developments.
Get access to our marijuana bill tracker by becoming a Patreon supporter.
—
OCM has been criticized by out-of-state officials like the governor in Connecticut for closing so few retail stores in recent months despite high demand in the state.
Regulators announced this month that the number of conditional adult use marijuana licenses they can approve has been increased to 150 from 150. After receiving feedback from applicants, they decided to increase their ability to open storefronts more quickly without any additional support from a state program to assist eligible entities in creating physical locations.
Hochul visited one the few cannabis retailers that are still in operation late last month. She didn’t purchase anything but expressed an openness to the idea of trying marijuana in the near future.
Hochul also unveiled a cannabis business and product verification tool in December. Hochul plans to post a QR Code on licensed cannabis retailers as well as a universal symbol label for legal cannabis products.
In late November , the governor signed a bill that aims to expand the state’s hemp industry through encouraging collaborative partnerships to find more opportunities to use the crop and its derivatives in packaging, construction, and other uses.
New York legislators approved a bill Tuesday which would require state public health insurance providers to cover medical marijuana and allow private insurers to do so.
New York legislators recently filed legislation to legalize certain psychedelics such as psilocybin for adults 21 years and older. Separate legislation would decriminalize drug possession .
According to a recent survey, far more New Yorkers think that drinking alcohol is a serious problem for public health than the minority who believe the same about marijuana.
A majority of New Yorkers support the state’s adult use cannabis law. Additionally, a large number of New Yorkers favor marijuana retailers opening up in their neighborhoods.
Major Alcohol Industry Association calls for Federal Marijuana Legalization and Recommends a Regulatory Framework
The post New York Governor Proposes Bill To Increase Enforcement Against Illicit Marijuana Operators As State Works License Retailers originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
