When asked, "What actions do you plan to take to solve problems in New York’s legal cannabis industry that were identified during the hearing?" Senator Rob Rolison responded, "First, legal adult-use dispensaries must have local support and acknowledge local decision-making, too. Second, impose tough penalties on those who target minors with cannabis sales. A legal market can coexist alongside a safe one for our children. Next, I agree with the governor that the potency tax must be addressed: small startups with limited capital cannot afford to pay this costly, and arbitrary, fee. It acts as a barrier to entry for local small businesses who invariably will have to compete with larger, out-of-state firms on an unequal playing field. Finally, Albany’s rollout of priority licenses is slowed by unnecessary red tape and staffing issues at OCM. And changing the rules in the middle of the rollout has thrown uncertainty into an already complicated process. These and other matters will need to be addressed in order to ensure the safe, legal, and profitable market New Yorkers were promised."

Email: rolison@nysenate.gov

Web: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/rob-rolison

Phone: 518-455-2945