After news broke just a few days ago about New York reaching a deal on cannabis legalization, formal hearings have been scheduled for the proposal in three committees on Tuesday. Floor votes could immediately follow action by the panels. As a result it is possible that New York cannabis legalization will be finalized in the coming weeks.

It is no surprise to anyone how quickly things are moving. Governor Cuomo told us to expect this now that he reached a deal with the legislative leaders. Therefore, the Assembly Codes and Ways & Means Committees and the Senate Finance Committee are on the schedule to start considering the legislation; within minutes of each other on Tuesday morning.

According to Chris Horvatits, Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes said that she expects a vote on the marijuana bill tomorrow after it gets through the committees. She also says that she expects the governor to sign the bill “right away”.

Chuck Schumer tweeted, “The war on drugs has been a war on people, NY is taking an important step to address its harms, and I am working to end the federal prohibition on marijuana and help the communities who have been hurt-especially communities of color.”

Governor Cuomo has said that he looks forward to signing the legislation into law. Legalization has been a long road with a lot of tireless hours of advocacy and hard work. “Legalizing adult-use cannabis isn’t just about creating a new market that will provide jobs and benefit the economy-it’s also about justice for long-marginalized communities and ensuring those who’ve been unfairly penalized in the past will now get a chance to benefit,” the governor said. Read the full article from Marijuana Moment.

Main Components of New York Cannabis Bill

• Adults 21 and over will be able to possess and purchase marijuana products from licensed retailers, expected to launch in 2022.
• Effective immediately, there will be no penalties for public possession of up to three ounces of cannabis. Or 24 grams of marijuana concentrates. As a result and people could store up to five pounds of cannabis in their homes.
• Adults can cultivate up to six plants for personal use, three of which can be mature. There will be a max of 12 plants per household with more than one adult.
• Convictions for marijuana-related activity made legal under the legislation will be automatically expunged.
• Protections against discrimination in housing, educational access, and parental rights will be instituted for people who consume cannabis or work in the industry.
• Legislation will allow social consumption sites along with delivery services.
• Licenses for commercial cultivators, processors, distributors, retailers, cooperatives, and nurseries will be created; with a prohibition on vertical integration with an exception for microbusinesses.
• Individual jurisdictions can opt-out of allowing retailers or social consumption sites by the end of this year. But residents could seek to override such bans if they use a local referendum process.

Components Continued

• A new Office of Cannabis Management-an independent agency-five-member board. Will be responsible for regulating the recreational and medical cannabis market. Along with the hemp programs. The Senate/Assembly and the governor will appoint the board members.
• The legislation has a goal to have 50 percent of cannabis business licenses issued to social equity applicants.
• Cannabis products will be subject to a state tax of nine percent, plus an additional four percent local tax.
• Tax revenue from cannabis will cover the costs of administering the program. 40 percent will go to a community reinvestment fund. Another 40 percent will support the state’s public schools and the last 20 percent will fund drug treatment facilities and public education programs.
• The odor of cannabis will not be justification for police to conduct searches.
• The State Department of Health will oversee a study of technology for detecting cannabis-impaired driving. Therefore, impaired diving from cannabis will be a misdemeanor.
• The existing medical cannabis program will expand to the list of qualifying conditions and also allow patients to smoke cannabis products. Patients can have a 60-day, rather than a 30-day supply.
• The legislation will also allow smokable hemp flower sales.
• Current medical cannabis businesses can participate in the recreational market. But in exchange for licensing fees.

Earl Blumenauer tweeted, “I applaud @DickGottfried and other New York leaders for a historic marijuana legalization deal. It is one of the most progressive state programs we have seen (with huge market potential) and will absolutely help change the national discussion. It’s a game-changer long overdue”.

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