The bill was passed by the New York Senate and Assembly to encourage businesses to use hemp materials for packaging, construction and other industrial purposes, and will send it to Gov. Marijuana Moment reported that Kathy Hochul was in the office for her signature.
State Sen. Michelle Hinchey D, who recently filed the Cannabis Container Bill of Rights, introduced the hemp bill, which the Senate approved in a 63 - 0 vote.
The purpose of the legislation is to encourage the use of industrial hemp grown in New York by businesses. Hinchey pointed out that New York is a leader in hemp cultivation and processing. The state needs to take a active role in researching, identifying, and promoting hemp to industries that may incorporate it into their products, as the market for New York Industrial hemp is still developing.
As the market for sustainable, biodegradable, non-petroleum-based packaging grows, so do the opportunities for New York produced industrial hemp as an ingredient in these products. The legislation will encourage the State to work with growers, processors and businesses that are end users to expand market opportunities. Gov. in April. In addition to that, the Cannabis Control Board approved 52 adult-use Cannabis Conditional Cultivator Licenses across the state, the first adult-use cannabis licenses granted in New York. The governor was making good on the legislation that would give provisional cannabis growing and processing licenses to hemp farmers and businesses that are currently engaged in promoting equity in the industry.
As one of 52 recipients of the licenses, Main Street Farms in Cortland County is beginning to cultivate, hoping to lead the way for a new cannabis revolution.
Hochul praised New York farmers, noting that licenses are bound to help local businesses flourish.
Since the American Revolution, New York s farms have been the backbone of our state's economy. In a statement, Hochul said that New York s farms will be the center of the most equitable cannabis industry in the nation. I am proud to announce the first adult-use cannabis cultivation licenses in the state. I am proud of the work done by the OCM and the Cannabis Control Board CCB to get adult-use cannabis sales up and running as fast as possible, without compromising our mission to uplift communities and individuals most affected by the past century of cannabis prohibition.