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NY Seeks To Makes It Easier for LGBT Folks To Profit from Cannabis Business

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New York State is trying to make it easier for LGBT folks to get the licensing they need to profit from the its now legal cannabis business.

Marijuana Moment: Sen. Jeremy Cooney (D) introduced the legislation last week, shortly after filing a separate bill to include transgender and non-binary people in the cannabis social equity program. He’s also behind other recent marijuana reform proposals related to cannabis business tax benefits and licensing.

New York legalized marijuana earlier this year. Adults are currently able to possess and publicly consume cannabis, but regulators are still working to implement retail sales. In the interim, Cooney is seeking to ensure that the equity provisions are even more inclusive.

“I am proud to introduce legislation to include members of our lesbian, gay and bisexual community for priority licensure in the new adult-use recreational cannabis market,” the senator told Marijuana Moment. “When New York State legalized adult-use recreational marijuana we made a commitment to addressing the discrimination and injustice caused by the War on Drugs.”

“Social justice and social equity are embedded throughout the [Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act] and the legislation is designed to uplift historically marginalized groups through economic opportunities in the cannabis industry,” he said. “We are committed to working to ensure we are meeting our equity licensing goals so that New York creates the most inclusive cannabis economy in the nation.”

Under the state’s legalization law, at least 50 percent of marijuana business licenses must go to equity applicants. Right now, as enacted earlier this year, that category includes people “from communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition,” minority- and women-owned businesses, distressed farmers and service-disabled veterans.

“This state has recognized that discrimination on the basis on sexual orientation is a violation of human rights law,” the justification section of the bill says. “The social equity aspect of the MRTA is meant to uplift historically marginalized groups through economic opportunities in the cannabis industry and this bill furthers that effort.”

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

 

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