The newly inaugurated governor of New York is committed to expediently filling regulatory positions to implement marijuana legalization in the state, her office says. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), who replaced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) this week after he resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal, was supportive of the legislature’s passage of the adult-use legalization bill this year. While her predecessor faced criticism as negotiations with lawmakers on potential appointments stalled, the new governor is now taking the helm and discussing how to move the process forward with leaders. Prioritizing the appointment of members of the Cannabis Control Board, as well as an executive director for the new Office of Cannabis Management will bring the state one step closer to setting up regulations and launching the retail market. As it stands, adults 21 and older can possess up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrates—and they can also smoke marijuana in public anywhere tobacco can be smoked—but there aren’t any shops open for business yet.
Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 08/26/2021 13:21:00