New York has legalized adult use recreational marijuana for cultivation, processing, and sale in New York. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) was signed into law on March 31, 2021.
When the MRTA was passed, lawmakers estimated licensed businesses would not be selling adult-use cannabis in New York for at least 18 months. After months of delays to the regulators’ nomination process, industry proponents have been vocal about their concerns that the timeline will stretch even farther out, dulling the potential for New York’s industry to get off the ground before neighboring states such as New Jersey dominate among the region’s markets.
Well, after months of waiting or some news, we finally heard something yesterday, September 1, 2021. The state Senate confirmed two long overdue appointments to the agency that will regulate pot sales in the state during a special session ordered by Gov. Kathy Hochul to fast track the program Wednesday.
Tremaine Wright was confirmed as chairperson of the Cannabis Control Board, and Christopher Alexander was secured as executive director of the new office of Cannabis Management. Wright is a former Democratic assemblywoman who represented Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Alexander is government relations and policy manager at the Canada-based cannabis company, Vill, LLC.
Four more members still need to be named to the board by the governor and legislative leaders, which is responsible for awarding licenses to cannabis sellers in the state. The appointees do not need to be approved by lawmakers.
Stay tuned to our website for more information as it becomes available.
Persons who are interested in learning more about this statute are encouraged to promptly contact an attorney. At Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, we handle all aspects of cannabis law, from criminal defense, business formation, licensing, avoidance of civil penalties, and navigation through the State’s regulatory schemes.
DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Contact criminal defense attorney Michael Jaccarino or the Law Offices of Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, PC should you have additional questions for a New York Criminal Defense Law Firm.
Call or email our office to learn more, or if you have a particular cannabis legal matter that requires attention: 212-486-0011 / Info@AidalaLaw.com.
