The Daily Freeman reports
KINGSTON, N.Y. – Despite pleas from two regional lawmakers in September that Gov. Kathy Hochul sign off on a bill to allow for the sale of cannabis to tribal retailers, Hochul vetoed the measure last week.
The bill, introduced by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, D-Binghamton, chairs of their agriculture committees, was designed to allow cannabis growers to sell their piled-up product to tribal retailers before it went bad. The bill passed the state Legislature in June. It was vetoed by Hochul on Dec. 22.
Hinchey, who represents the 41st Senate District, said in a joint statement with Lupardo that the veto of the bill was not unexpected.
“We offered a way for some of the oversupply of cannabis grown by NY’s farmers to be sold to NY’s Tribal Nations,” the statement said. “Given the fact that this temporary measure would have expired on December 31st anyway, the veto is hardly a surprise. “
“Meanwhile, many of our farmers remain financially ruined by circumstances beyond their control,” the statement added. “We remain committed to helping the farmers and processors that NY’s legal cannabis industry depends on in any way possible.”
Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, who represents the 102nd Assembly District, which includes the Ulster County town of Shandaken and Greene County, was critical of Hochul’s decision.
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Hochul vetoes Hinchey bill passed in June aimed at selling excess cannabis to tribal nations
Sean Hocking
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