New York Gov. Announces Cannabis Legalization Listening Sessions

On Thursday, the office of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced a series of 15 listening sessions on regulated cannabis to be held across the state.

The meetings' purpose: to hear input from community members and stakeholders on the details of cannabis legalization in New York state. Input received will be used by the state-commissioned Regulated Marijuana Workgroup as it drafts legislation for adult-use cannabis legalization to be considered by the state legislature.

"Community input is critical as we work to draft balanced and comprehensive legislation on a regulated marijuana program in New York. The multi-agency report identified the benefits of a regulated marijuana market, and with these listening sessions we are taking another important step to develop a model program for New York. We look forward to hearing what New Yorkers in every corner of the state have to say." – Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a press release

The public listening sessions, to be held in the evenings, will begin in early September and carry through mid-October. Pre-registration is encouraged. Dates and locations as published on the website of the governor's office are:

• Wednesday, September 5 - Albany
• Thursday, September 6 - Glens Falls
• Monday, September 17 - Bronx
• Thursday, September 20 - Manhattan
• Monday, September 24 - Queens
• Tuesday, September 25 - Brooklyn
• Wednesday, September 26 - Staten Island
• Thursday, September 27 - Long Island
• Monday, October 1 - Newburgh
• Tuesday, October 2 - Binghamton
• Wednesday, October 3 - Buffalo
• Thursday, October 4 - Rochester
• Tuesday, October 9 - Syracuse
• Wednesday, October 10 - Utica
• Thursday, October 11 - Watertown

Gov. Cuomo commissioned a study from the state Department of Health in January. In July, the Department of Health delivered the finalized study to the office of the Governor, concluding that a regulated adult-use market would be beneficial for New York.

Gov. Cuomo then created the Regulated Marijuana Workgroup to assist New York lawmakers in developing a bill with well-organized and effective terms for legalization.

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://www.ganjapreneur.com/new-york-gov-announces-cannabis-legalization-listening-sessions/

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