New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling for big tech companies like Google and Meta, to “do what’s right” by stopping the promotion of illegal marijuana shops which have spread across the state.
In a Wednesday press conference, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said that search engines and social media companies were actively undermining a legal market by allowing retailers who are not licensed to advertise on their sites. This gives consumers the false impression they are legitimate business.
She said, “They are hurting our legal shops. We’ve spoken to these companies and platforms and told them straight out: ‘You must change this.’
Hochul said that she does not expect tech companies to identify and remove illegal shop listings on their behalf, because “they’d tell us that they aren’t required to.” Her message to businesses is “let us assist you.”
We will give you a list of legal sellers. I know who is legal. We all know which shops are legal. “You have to be careful not to post the location of illegal shops,” said the governor. “Now, I am calling on all of these platforms to step forward, do the right things and be part the solution. Do not be complicit with the harming of the public’s health or the livelihoods and businesses of these legitimate businessmen.
Hochul was joined at the briefing on Wednesday by cannabis advocates and stakeholders, including representatives from organizations who published an open message to the Governor on Tuesday, which raised the alarm over social media companies that promote unlicensed retailers.
I’m here with legal cannabis retailers in New York to inform New Yorkers about the steps we are taking to close down illegal storefronts which threaten health and safety and undermine our efforts to create an equal, legal industry.
Join me live in Manhattan: https://t.co/VHXMGcXOnU
— Governor Kathy Hochul 28 February 2024
Hochul: “It comes down to one simple question. What kind of cannabis market do we want in New York?” “I believe we know the solution.” “We know the path we want.”
She has also reiterated her call to the legislature that it give local and state officials “the power to padlock the door of every illegal cannabis shop in New York.”
“This is how we reclaim our streets.” This is how we create the most equitable cannabis market in the nation. “And that’s the way we invest in communities,” she said.
The Governor began her speech by stating that the legalization of marijuana in the state has been a long journey with “growing-pains along the way.” She was referring to the lengthy process for licensing legal storefronts, which was made more difficult by litigation that prevented regulators from working for months at a stretch.
Hochul stated that “now with all of the legal battles behind us, we are finally gaining momentum.” Since the lifting of the injunction in December, 50 licensed dispensaries were opened. By Friday, it will have reached 80.
She said, “It’s taking too long, in my opinion,” echoing her comments from recent weeks, where she expressed frustration at the delays.
Hochul said that while litigation may have contributed to the delays, she also holds state regulatory agencies partly responsible.
When her office learned that the Cannabis Control Board was only going to approve three more licenses during a meeting held last month, , they intervened, stating that this number was not sufficient. This meeting was then cancelled.
The Governor went as far to say that she is looking at potential leadership changes in the state’s cannabis regulatory apparatus due to the implementation issues.
The regulators have met again this month for a rescheduled session, during which they approved draft regulations to allow home cultivation of marijuana for recreational purposes and issued more than 100 new licenses for cannabis businesses. They hope that this will help the market recover from its “rocky” start this year.
Last month, the Governor released his budget plan, which calls for the removal of the THC potency taxes. This is to make the regulated cannabis market more competitive with illicit operators.
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As New York works on expanding its marijuana market, an Assembly bill introduced last month would give individual municipalities the authority to close down unlicensed cannabis business and seize the products as the Governor has demanded.
In December the Department of Labor published dozens of job descriptions for legal industry. Officials said that the purpose of the sample job descriptions was to streamline the hiring process and to allow potential employees to evaluate their qualifications in order to work in different roles within the emerging marijuana industry.
Hochul signed legislation in November to ease financial institution’s ability to work with licensed cannabis businesses. She also signed a bill to give tax relief to New York City cannabis businesses who are currently barred from taking federal deductions due to an Internal Revenue Service code called 280E.
New York City’s tax laws were not affected by the change in Hochul’s budget bill of 2022, which included provisions allowing state-level cannabis businesses tax deductions. This new measure is intended to close that policy gap.
Hochul vetoed a bill that would have allowed Hemp seeds to be added to animal feeds for horses, pets and camelids like llamas or alpacas.
In September, about a third (66) of the state’s legislators wrote Hochul to urge her to to sign a law that would allow licensed marijuana manufacturers to sell their products to tribal retailers. This plan will allow cannabis farmers to release surpluses they have but are unable to sell. Hochul, however, vetoed the bill in December.
Missouri Senators approve bill to legalize psilocybin therapy for veterans
The article New York governor pushes big tech to’step up’ by removing Illicit Marijuana Shop listings first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
