Kathy Hochul on Drugs

Allow cannabis cultivation in New York prior to legal sales

J&G Law (in favor): This license establishes a "fast-track" path for existing NYS hemp farmers to apply for a conditional license to grow adult-use cannabis in the 2022 growing season prior to opening of all adult-use licenses to the public, which likely will not occur until at least late 2022 or early 2023.

Rep. Mike Lawler (in opposition): Between 2019 and 2022 there has been a nearly sixfold increase in calls for marijuana related to children and teens 19 or younger and a ninefold increase among those five or younger. We must tackle the cannabis crisis that is poisoning our youth.

Legislative outcome Passed Senate 50-13-2 on Feb/15/22; Passed Assembly 98-44-8 on Feb/16/22; Signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Feb/22/22.

Enact the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act

ACLU-NY summary Mar 31, 2021: Under the MRTA, adults 21 and older will be able to legally possess, transport, purchase, consume, and share up to three ounces of marijuana. The bill removes marijuana and marijuana products from the state Controlled Substances Act, legalizes private cultivation of up to six plants, and eliminates most existing misdemeanors and felonies related to marijuana from the state penal law.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 40-23-0 on Mar/30/21; passed Assembly 94-56-0 on Mar/30/21; signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Mar/31/21.