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to provide enough time for public review on new regulations before the licensing process can begin. When MRTA was passed, it issued guidelines as to how the CCB would regulate cannabis, but in no way does it serve as a step-by-step instruction guide for implementation of the law, much to the chagrin of excited consumers.
In Hochul’s first State of the State address in January, she announced the creation of a $200 million fund to support social equity applicants who want to open a canna-business. Ideally, this will allow those who’ve been unduly harmed by former
laws to easily apply and receive
grant money—almost like a form of reparation from the state. According to the ACLU, in 2018, the arrest rate of Black people for marijuana possession was over double that of white people for the same offense in New York state, despite similar usage rates nationwide. “We’ve spent decades as a society criminalizing marijuana charges,
and the disproportionate impact that
it’s had on communities of color and low-income areas is completely unacceptable,” Hinchey adds.
If you’re not interested in opening a canna-business, but would like to grow your own backyard supply, hang tight. Since dispensary doors won’t open for another year, home growers might be waiting (im)patiently until 2024 for the green light (thanks to MRTA bylaws). When the time finally does come, here’s what you can expect: each person can possess six plants (three mature, three immature) for a total of no more than 12 plants per household.
Despite the dispensary delay, there are a few that have already cropped up in the Valley that sell THC-based products and paraphernalia. How
is this happening if it’s not legal? Apparently, some businesses are using a “gifting” loophole, in which customers either buy some other product first or give the business a donation, and in return, receive a gift of weed.
One such dispensary is the Bud Bus that frequents Sloatsburg, with the phrase “get your free bud from the bus” emblazoned on the side. On any given day, you might find the New Jersey-based bright purple food truck parked outside of Jessie’s Bagels on Route 17 “selling” joints and coffee. The business also advertises that they’re available to park at weddings, parties, and corporate events.
There are also brick-and-mortar storefronts, like Monogram on Academy Street in Poughkeepsie. Adults can
visit the service window for pre-rolls, THC-laced baked goods, and a variety of strains of flower. “Well, [retail sales and gifting are] not legal,” says Metzger, “and New Yorkers should know
that only medical cannabis can be purchased legally right now. Anything being sold outside of that is untested and the quality and safety isn’t verified.”
Aye or Nay?
Just like everything these days, marijuana is very political, with strong pro and con opinions among both government reps and Valley citizens. Hinchey voted in favor of MRTA last March, and was one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “Quite frankly, it was about time we did it. There’s
a lot of opportunity for people both financially and through upward mobility,” she says. Once up and running, the industry is projected to bring in over $350 million in revenue in the first year statewide, which
is hopeful news for start-up farms
and small entrepreneurs. Money is already pouring into some towns, like Warwick, where the Chicago-based cannabis producer Green Thumb Industries purchased 38 acres of former prison land for $3.3 million
to build a state-of-the-art marijuana production plant.
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