Senate Agriculture Chairs & Rankers Release Bipartisan Statement Urging Signing of Cannabis Crop Rescue Act

September 13, 2023

ALBANY, NY – The Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees – Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo – together with their respective Ranking Members – Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Chris Tague – have issued the following joint statement, calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign bipartisan legislation that would open new market relationships between distressed cannabis growers and tribal retailers. The legislation provides a short-term solution to address the delay in cannabis market rollout, which is causing severe economic hardships for New York farmers.

“While lawsuits are being litigated and illegal stores are flourishing, NY’s cannabis farmers are suffering. Crops were grown last year with the understanding that there would be a legal market for them to sell it. Now, 250,000 pounds of unsold cannabis is losing value each day. In June, we supported and passed a bill through both houses of the Legislature that would allow NY-based Tribal Nations to purchase a portion of our oversupply (A7375/S7295). We are urging the Governor to quickly sign this short-term solution, one that will help provide some measure of relief to what is quickly becoming an agricultural emergency.”