The Albany Business Review covered the challenges and opportunities New York state Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul faces with legalized marijuana when she takes over later in August. While the state has yet to name members for its Office of Cannabis Management and Cannabis Control Board, Harris Beach attorney Karl Sleight thinks a change in leadership is a positive for the state.
“Just a few short weeks ago, Gov. Cuomo was unable to come to terms with members of the Legislature on appointments to the Cannabis Control Board,” Sleight said. “You’ll see Hochul and the Legislature working hard on common interests. I expect positive movement once she gets her team in place.”
Sleight too said it’s a progressive issue that Hochul could make her own, particularly as she looks to run for a full term as governor in 2022.
“It checks a lot of boxes. It’s job creation. The statute itself is infused with helping underserved communities and those are things that will be front of mind for the new administration,” Sleight said. “Because it falls within the category of getting back to the business of governing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a special session of the Legislature and if that happens it would be logical to see appointments lagging in the Cuomo administration filled.”
Members of the Harris Beach Cannabis Industry Team can help organizations facilitate licensing, zoning issues, intellectual property matters, labor & employment considerations and a variety of other legal issues.