New York Lawmakers Urge Gov. Hochul To Sign 'Cannabis Crop Rescue Act' To Aid Struggling Farmers

A group of 66 New York lawmakers has issued an urgent plea to Governor Kathy Hochul, calling on her to sign the 'Cannabis Crop Rescue Act,' legislation designed to address the dire situation faced by over 200 licensed cannabis farmers in the state.

Background

These farmers currently find themselves in financial peril as they struggle to sell their cannabis crops due to a severe shortage of dispensaries, reported Marijuana Moment. With only 23 dispensaries currently operating statewide, there is a surplus of over 250,000 pounds of unsold cannabis, leaving these cultivators in dire need of an alternative market.

Senate Agriculture Chair Michelle Hinchey expressed concern, stating, “Many New York cannabis farmers are facing dire financial straits with unsold crops from last year, and time is running out to get products to market before they expire."

See Also: New York Cannabis Growers Are Struggling To Stay Alive: Will The State Help Or Hurt Their Cause?

Helping Cannabis Farmers Amid Regulatory Delays

The lawmakers, in a letter addressed to Governor Hochul, emphasized the pressing need for action to alleviate the hardships faced by these farmers. Many of them invested significant resources and efforts in cultivation, only to be stymied by regulatory delays, lawsuits, and logistical challenges that have plagued the rollout of the legal cannabis market in New York.

The letter underscored that while the state has encountered various challenges and missed its regulatory targets, it is the cultivators who have borne the most significant burdens in this process.

Notable lawmakers supporting this call to action include Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes and Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger, who has highlighted the crucial role that cannabis farmers played in establishing New York's legal cannabis market.

Moreover, they stressed that these farmers should not be pushed to the brink of financial ruin due to regulatory delays and unfulfilled promises.

“Along with the Cannabis Grower’s Showcases, it could be the financial lifeline they need right now,” reads the letter.

The Cannabis Crop Rescue Act: An Opportunity

The 'Cannabis Crop Rescue Act', which was passed by the New York Senate & Assembly, is seen as a critical piece of legislation aimed at providing relief to cannabis farmers.

• It offers a legal avenue for these farmers to sell their products, especially in light of the challenges posed by illegal cannabis stores thriving in the state.
• The legislation also acknowledges the struggles faced by growers and processors who have invested heavily in their cannabis farms, only to witness surplus products deteriorate, severely impacting their financial stability.

This act would enable licensed cannabis farmers to sell their products to tribal retailers, thereby offering a viable solution to the surplus problem and ensuring the long-term vitality of New York's cannabis industry.

Read the full story at Marijuana Moment.

Read Next: New York Expands Cannabis Licensing After Legal Delays And Tug Of War Between David And Goliath

Photo: Courtesy Of Luke Stackpoole On Unsplash