“The Cannabis Farmers Alliance (CFA) decries Governor Kathy Hochul’s refusal to support crucial relief funds for New York’s cannabis farmers. Despite overwhelming approval from both the New York State Senate and Assembly, as well as unanimous support from industry stakeholders, the Governor has once again turned her back on New York farms. Governor Hochul’s failure to act has not only stalled progress but has actively sabotaged the livelihoods of countless New Yorkers involved in the legal cannabis market.
“In an industry crippled by bureaucratic delays and ineffectual policies, the CFA has repeatedly sought intervention from the Governor’s office. Our efforts, dating back to May 2023, have been met with nothing more than form letters, delays, excuses, rejection, and platitudes.
“On March 4, during the Farm Bureau’s Taste of New York event, Governor Hochul looked our farmers in the eye, promising to work with the legislature on providing immediate cash relief. Yet, here we are, the crisis worsening, with Hochul’s office showing a chilling disregard for those same farmers. Let us be clear: the legal cannabis market in New York is on the verge of collapse. As the Governor takes a victory lap on the 105th dispensary opening, another area where she over-promised and under-delivered, our farmers are on the brink. Our members and stakeholders need action before the entire supply side of the industry collapses.
“The stark reality is that New York’s legal cannabis market is dwarfed by an illicit market valued at an astonishing $7.4 billion in 2023—37 times larger than the legal market. Meanwhile, states like Missouri and Maryland, with smaller populations and later starts, boast legal markets surpassing $1 billion. Governor Hochul’s inaction not only undermines our economic potential but also strengthens the illegal operations that our industry strives to overshadow.
“Governor Hochul herself described the state of the industry as a ‘disaster,’ acknowledging the severe financial losses and flourishing black market. Yet, her administration’s response has been to propose slowing down the licensing of new dispensaries, further crippling our already faltering market. This is not just negligence; it is a calculated dismissal of the dire straits facing our farmers and their families. Aware that the industry is in an existential crisis, she even refused to renew other lifelines such as Cannabis Growers Showcases and vetoed a bill allowing sales to Tribal Nations.
“With a legislative mandate to provide $128 million in the Senate’s budget and $80 million from the Assembly for cannabis relief, Governor Hochul’s continued inaction is unfathomable. This, from a governor who found no hesitation in allocating $2.7 billion for other causes. The message is clear: cannabis farmers are not a priority for Governor Hochul.
“Our farmers face grim choices: cease operations, scale down, or fall prey to predatory financial practices from outside entities—the only ones willing to invest in our desperation. We are on the brink of an industry collapse, and Governor Hochul’s hands-off approach might well be the final push over the edge.
“Governor Hochul, the time for empty promises is over. We demand action. We demand that you face the hard truths and deliver the promised relief. Anything less is a betrayal not just to farmers but to all New Yorkers who stand to benefit from a thriving, legal cannabis market.”
