Cuomo signals marijuana may be legal soon

FINGER LAKES--With Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week indicating the state could legalize marijuana consumption for adults soon to help the state alleviate the budget crisis, local county officials are unsure how much it would help. Leaders from both Yates and Schuyler said currently neither are considering the sale of marijuana as part of the solution to closing budgetary gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I doubt marijuana legalization will bring a significant source of revenue into Yates County," Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn said. "I would need to see how the law is written."
Cuomo made his comments regarding legalizing marijuana in a Zoom interview with television personality Andy Cohen to promote Cuomo's new book, which details Cuomo's time combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The only way to attend the meeting was to pay $35, the cost of which included a signed book.
Schuyler County officials likewise said the legislature is not yet considering the sale of marijuana because it is currently illegal and no legislation to legalize its use has been presented. It was reported last week during the Zoom interview Cuomo said that the state would attempt to legalize it soon because the state needs the money.
Even if marijuana is legalized for sale, Yates County Legislative Chairman Douglas Paddock said it would still be questionable as to how much money it would even generate on a local level.
"You know all money would go to the state and that we wouldn't see much locally," Paddock said.
He added with a low relative population in the county, he expects most revenue from marijuana sales to be generated downstate.
While the sale of recreational marijuana is still debated, the state department of health announced Wednesday, Oct. 28 that the state has filed proposed regulations to regulate cannabinol day hemp products, such as CBD oil, on the state level. While related, these products are different from traditional marijuana in that users do not experience a "high."
In a press release, Cuomo said the Cannabinoid Hemp Program will help legitimize the cannabinoid market in New York by establishing regulations to create a stable framework for cannabinoid hemp processors and retailers to follow.
"These regulations are the next step toward regulating the growing hemp industry in New York in a way that protects consumers and helps ensure the industry's long-term viability... establishing the State's Cannabinoid Hemp Program to regulate production and sale of hemp and hemp extract will help protect both consumers and farmers," Cuomo said.
According to the press release regulations are not expected to come into effect until 2021.