New York Civil Rights and Social Equity Groups Raise Concerns About State’s Cannabis Social Equity Protections

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 signatories contend was done “without regard to market capacity, only to push back its review of the less capitalized businesses in the December queue, effectively jeopardizing hundreds of small businesses’ opportunity to open.”    

“The new licensing review has also deprioritized the previous review of those with Social and Economic Equity Group status and kept justice-involved entrepreneurs in the (Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary) program waiting in the balance for location approvals,” the letter states. “To diminish oversight of these changes, OCM has transformed the Chief Equity Officer role by redrafting the job description to ensure the next Chief Equity Officer holds less decision-making oversight of licensing and market regulations with cannabis equity in mind.” 

The signatories say that they “are led to believe that this administration woefully under-appreciates the urgent needs to fully implement and protect the MRTA, particularly its intent to ensure equity and fair opportunities for small businesses.” 

The letter was signed by 024 Inc, Black Cannabis Industry Association, Inc. (BCIA), The Bronx Cannabis Hub, Cannabis Social Equity Coalition of NYS, CannaBronx, The CannaDiva, Drug Policy Alliance, empCanna Media, High Exposure Agency, Hi-impact, LYFE CHARMZ, Minority Cannabis Business Association, NAACP NY State Conference, National Hispanic Cannabis Council Tristate Chapter, NYC NORML, Service Disabled Veterans in Cannabis Association, Social Equity Empowerment Network New York, and VOCAL-NY.