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NY Post
New York Post
5 Jun 2023


NextImg:Kathy Hochul to allow legal weed sales at NY farmers markets, festivals and concerts this summer

The summer of love? How about the summer of blunt!

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration, under fire for leaving struggling farmers in the lurch with massive stockpiles of marijuana, plans on allowing the sale of weed and other cannabis products at farmers markets, festivals and concerts this summer.

Farmers are sitting on 300,000 lbs. marijuana that is losing potency because of the slow rollout of opening state-licensed cannabis shops, with just 13 dispensary and delivery outlets open in the state to sell cannabis despite the approval of 215 licenses.

“Farmers would have the ability to get together and organize farmers markets in partnership with a retailer,” John Kagia, the state Office of Cannabis Management’s policy director said during a virtual “town hall” meeting last week with members of the Cannabis Association of New York State.

Kagia said pot farmers and cannabis retailers could “piggyback on an event…a concert, a festival, some other type of agricultural event…. We would love for that to happen.”

During the meeting, state cannabis regulators told pot farmers and retailers they would even entertain selling weed on state property — such as the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is planning to allow marijuana and cannabis products to be sold at New York farmer markets, festivals and concerts.
AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

That raises the possibility that farmers’ markets could be set up during music concerts and other events at venues on state and city owned property — such as Jones Beach Park, UBS Arena near Belmont Park, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Race Track or on New York City-owned property that includes the Mets Citi Field and Yankee stadium.

But the bailout for farmers could run into community opposition.

Under current law, cannabis sales are forbidden on government property, including parks.

The decision comes as farmers are losing marijuana crops due to the state's slow rollout of licensed cannabis shops.

The decision comes as farmers are losing marijuana crops due to the state’s slow rollout of licensed cannabis shops.
Richard B. Levine/Levine Roberts via ZUMA Press

Also, Nassau County and its municipalities have totally opted out of hosting cannabis retail stores. The UBS Arena and Belmont Park are both located in Nassau.

 “We’re thinking very expansively about the types of places this can be done …as long as we can get municipal approval to host these events,” Kagia said.

 The Office of Cannabis Management is still hammering out the rules for the pot farmers’ market program, which could begin as early as July.

According to Office of Cannabis Management's policy director John Kagia, farmers would be able to connect with retailers to organize farmers markets.

According to Office of Cannabis Management’s policy director John Kagia, farmers would be able to connect with retailers to organize farmers markets.
ZUMAPRESS.com

One minimum requirement is that at least three different farmers would have to team up with a cannabis retail licensee. All current taxes paid by the farmer’s and cannabis store licensees would apply.

Customers can buy flowered product, pre-rolled joints and THC-infused edibles, but would not be allowed to smoke weed on the premises, regulators said.

“This is going to be the first summer post-COVID. People are going to be back and out and about. We’re already seeing very strong anticipated tourism numbers for New York this year,” Kagia said.

“What a great opportunity to showcase this budding industry both to New Yorkers and the rest of the world in places they’re going to be.”

One Queen-based cannabis home delivery service operator is already in negotiations with 17 different farmers to sell weed at farmer’s market events throughout the state.

“We’re planning on doing a farmer’s market every weekend from July through September. We’re ready to go,” said The Cannabis Place CEO Osbert Orduna, a disabled marine veteran and Iraq war veteran.

State cannabis regulators told pot farmers and retailers that they might even be able to sell marijuana on state property.

State cannabis regulators told pot farmers and retailers that they might even be able to sell marijuana on state property.
Richard B. Levine/Levine Roberts via ZUMA Press

New York state lawmakers approved the sale of medical marijuana in 2014 and then gave the nod to cannabis sales for recreational use in 2021 — but only under a strict store licensing process that critics say is unnecessarily cumbersome.

Meanwhile, a planned $200 million fund for “social equity” for licensees that was supposed to help spur business openings, including $150 million in private investment, has been a bust.

During the meeting with cannabis reps, state regulators admitted snafus have hobbled the budding industry.

“There were a lot of mistakes in the last six months in regards to ensuring we matched the canopy that was out there in the field with the shelf space that was coming on line,” said Damian Fagon, OCM’s chief executive officer.

Cultivators said they were hopeful the marijuana farmers market program would hope them unload their weed inventory and provide an infusion of revenue to keep them afloat, if not riding high, during the what has been a rock rollout.

“It’s a great idea. If it works it will grain traction,” said pot farmer Scott Trifulo. “We’ll have our fingers crossed.”