On Thursday, the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) released a report on its progress in rolling out the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). It outlines financial impacts, social equity challenges, and recommendations for the future.
"The rollout initially was slow and I think it was a little chaotic," said Lorraine Collins—the Director of the Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research at the University of Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions—when asked about the OCM report. "It's really unfortunate because one of the problems that arose, first of all—people were confused as to sources where they could get cannabis. And there was also a huge growth in illegal recreational sellers."
The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) creates and enforces rules for weed and provides guidance on cannabis industry issues. It approves regulations, applications, and licenses for cannabis businesses and oversees the OCM. The OCM manages daily operations, creates regulations, and carries out policies. The MRTA—S854A/A1248A—legalized adult-use marijuana in New York in March 2021 and created the CCB and the OCM.
The report also includes some recommendations for the industry and the government moving forward. For example, it suggests that OCM should launch campaigns to educate New Yorkers about the industry and keep kids away from drugs. It further suggests creating a program with the latest on production numbers and consumer preferences so businesses better understand the local market.
Read more at ABC News 10.