NY Smoked the vote: MRTA passed the Senate & Assembly
/ STATEMENT TO THE PRESS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact for Press Inquiries: Troy Smit | 631-806-9189 | Troy@EmpireStateNORML.com
NY Smoked the vote: MRTA passed the Senate & Assembly
The bill to legalize the responsible adult-use of cannabis has passed the legislature and is sent to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Albany, New York: After first being introduced in 2013, S.854A/A.1248A the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”), and a whirlwind of the committee and floor votes today, has passed in the Senate and Assembly and is on its way to Governor Cuomo’s desk to be signed into law. Now off to the executive chambers for final approval, we urge and implore Governor Cuomo to sign this bill into law, today.
As home to the largest market of cannabis consumers in the nation, the improvements legislators incorporated into the bill will help protect the rights of millions of New Yorkers. This legislation appears to respect the balance between the rights and freedoms of cannabis consumers and marijuana justice. The provisions provide for authorizing personal cultivation, automatic expungement of past criminal records, on-site consumption, delivery, etc. If the bill is passed as is, this legislation can make New York a leader in the nation.
Empire State NORML is ecstatic that many of the policies we’ve been fighting for such as home cultivation, automatic vacatur, onsite consumption spaces, social equity funding, and protections against consumer discrimination. The fight for patient and consumer rights is not over, it’s just beginning. Once Governor Cuomo signs this bill, we look forward to working with the Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) to ensure that the consumers are protected.
Troy Smit, Deputy Director of Empire State NORML & Founder of Long Island NORML. - "We stand on the shoulders of giants. It’s taken a great amount of work and perseverance by activists, patients, and consumers, to go from being the cannabis arrest capital of the world, to lead the world with a legalized market dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This might not be the perfect piece of legislation, but today, cannabis consumers can hold their heads high and smell the flowers. Senator Krueger and Assembly Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes have laid the groundwork for marijuana justice and a consumer-centric industry. Now, it’s time for the Office of Cannabis Management to take up their torch and implement regulations that protect patient and consumer rights. In the words of our late Director, Doug Greene – Cannabis Excelsior!"
David Holland, Executive & Legal Director, Empire State NORML - New York’s anticipated legalization of cannabis propels it again to a leadership role in the nation. Under the MRTA, once persecuted and criminalized people, cultures, and communities will be prioritized through job creation and investment opportunity to rebuild that which was so tragically torn apart by the false and failed War on Drugs. Cannabis is not only a valid and viable medicine but an industry built around it will help these people and communities heal as the State moves forward on a more equitable and enlightened path to progress.”
Ryan Lepore, Interim Executive Director of NYC NORML & Board Member of Empire State NORML - "For the past few years, cannabis legalization in New York has been an elusive fantasy to some, and for others, a tireless journey that began decades before a cannabis industry existed. Passing legislation that is representative of justice as opposed to solely its economic opportunity is undoubtedly a victory for both the New York and nationwide cannabis community. As the MRTA's passage serves as a desirable starting point to legitimize existing consumers and legacy operators, we must continue to advocate and ensure our state’s incoming regulatory process truly provides regenerative, restorative, and equitable opportunities for our diverse legacy and consumer population''
Mary Kruger, Executive Director, ROC NORML & Board Member of Empire State NORML - “We are excited and optimistic about the negotiations that have been reached thus far. The key components we’ve been fighting for - justice, equity, and reinvestment - are all intricately woven into the fabric of this legislation. We were never fighting for legalization at any means necessary - we were always fighting for smart legalization the protects consumers and begins to right the wrongs and harms of marijuana prohibition, and this bill does just that. The bill isn’t perfect and there will always be work for us to do when fighting for marijuana justice and consumer rights, but we are happy with the negotiations so far and now we need our leaders to hold the line and get this bill passed.”
Penelope Hamilton Crescibene, Acting Executive Director of WNY NORML - “The fight for marijuana justice in New York has been led by dedicated and tireless social justice warriors, patients, and consumer advocates. In the past few years, advocates have had to deal with the pressure and negotiations of proposed legislation other than the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). It became quickly clear that the dire need for just, equitable, inclusive, diverse, and consumer-centered legislation could only be found through the MRTA sponsored by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Senator Liz Kruger and was worth waiting for. This is a solid foundation for which we, as advocates, must hold the state accountable for and continue to help shape. As we move forward, our local communities must have a voice in how the office of cannabis management carries out reinvestment, economic opportunities, and justice. Our work is never over but we will take this moment to celebrate a victory.”