ALBANY, N.Y. — Lawmakers in New York are advocating for the creation of a fund to aid individuals affected by marijuana prohibition in transitioning to the legal cannabis industry and to crack down on unlicensed operators. They propose a $500,000 revolving loan fund to support impacted individuals in starting legal cannabis businesses.
While this proposal was not initially included in budget plans, it emerged during ongoing discussions. Legislative leaders are considering various measures to combat illicit cannabis activities, including revoking licenses of businesses found selling cannabis illegally.
Legal dispensary owners and applicants have criticized the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) for not supporting those impacted by past drug laws. Despite bipartisan support for increased municipal enforcement, some argue that existing authorities are sufficient to address illicit cannabis sales.
Discussions about enforcement measures are ongoing as lawmakers seek to address illegal cannabis operations across the state.