Also Not Happy! .. Senator Michelle Hinchey Chair, NYS Senate Agriculture Committee Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo Chair, NYS Assembly Agriculture Committee, “Update on Cannabis Farmer Relief Fund”

“Despite our best efforts, the state budget will not include the much-needed Cannabis Farmer’s Relief Fund. Both the Senate and Assembly one-house budgets included substantial resources to address the financial losses our cannabis farmers experienced in 2022 and 2023, due to limited retail outlets. It is very disappointing that we were unable to reach an agreement with the Governor. We have a fundamental obligation to protect NY’s cannabis farmers who grew in good faith and wound up with few places to sell their crops; crops that have since lost value, leaving farmers in the red. While we appreciate the effort to close illegal stores, making way for more locally grown products, it is too late for many farmers who can no longer afford to stay in business. If we want a successful and local legal cannabis market, it’s incumbent upon us to do everything in our power to support the NY farmers who are growing this product. The lack of a relief package agreement with the Governor does just the opposite.”