BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Marijuana regulation efforts in New York are expected to progress soon after Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday evening her plans to confirm nominees to the State's cannabis program.
Marijuana was legalized at the end of March, following a years-long effort to accept it in the state. Part of its legalization was to create what's known as the "Office of Cannabis Management", an agency which will create the rules for the cannabis industry to operate, similar to the State Liquor Authority. Advocates for the marijuana industry have criticized the state for stalling on marijuana regulations, which includes the governor's office appointing a leader for OCM.
"We've lost five and a half months because there was not a decision simply to name an executive director and a chairperson to get this going and get the regulations in place," Governor Kathy Hochul said. "I was concerned about next year's growing season."
There were reports of political jockeying between former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature over who exactly would be the executive director. Cuomo ultimately did not name an executive director.
Hochul said earlier Tuesday that too much time has lapsed and will name her representatives to OCM "very shortly". She later tweeted her plans to have those nominees confirmed during Wednesday's extraordinary session.
"I'm excited about getting this going soon," Hochul said.
Aleece Burgio, General Counsel and Strategic Advisor at MJI Solutions said she is hopeful it will only be a couple weeks before someone is named.
"We were struggling for a bit with Governor Cuomo, especially given his pace," Burgio said. "We have legalized it since March 31, which now has been quite a few months. We anticipated the nominations happening earlier this summer. That didn't happen. Now with Governor Hochul coming in, this has been made a priority on her agenda which we're very grateful for."
Burgio expects the Western New York market to be significant for the cannabis industry due to, in part, the state leadership in this region. She specifically mentioned the new governor and also Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who has championed the legalization cause for several years.
"The consequence of a prolonged rollout is the lack of demand entering the industry," Burgio said. "You need to be attractive to potential applicants for the New York market. The longer the rollout, the less interest. There's states that are continuing to legalize adult use. Connecticut and New Jersey and our both our borders are doing a much quicker pace than us...We don't want to be behind the money because operators will look elsewhere."
