In a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), a group of 18 organizations expressed concerns about the administration’s perceived pivot away from social equity commitments outlined in the state’s adult-use cannabis law. The groups, which include New York civil rights organizations, small business supporters, cannabis social equity leaders, and drug research advocates, called on Hochul to appoint leadership at the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) with the expertise and commitment to fulfill the law’s equity-centered vision.
“… In the past few months, we have grown increasingly concerned by the lack of political leadership in fully implementing the (Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act), specifically the lack of funding of social and economic equity programs, a series of short-sighted regulatory decisions, and lack of appropriate OCM leadership. During this critical time of establishing New York’s cannabis market, the Administration has irresponsibly failed to seat a permanent leader with appropriate economic development and cannabis experience and instead has appointed an interim director who lacks experience in cannabis and economic development to serve in leadership.” — Excerpt from the group’s letter
In the letter, the groups point to a review of license applications which the