BILL NUMBER: S8375A
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the cannabis law, in relation to establishing the "small
cannabis farmer relief act"; and providing for the repeal of such
provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to allow cannabis "distress farmers"
to temporarily increase their cannabis canopy in order meet the expanded
needs of the market.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Names the act as the "small cannabis farmer relief act".
Section 2: The cannabis law is amended by adding a new section 68-c.
Section 3: Establishes the effective date and the sunset date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
As the New York State cannabis market becomes more developed the need
for allowing cannabis farmers to increase their canopy size has become
more apparent and necessary to supply the market.
This legislation would allow cannabis "distressed farmers" to expand
their canopy size up to double the size for a few growing seasons. This
adjustment is needed to provide the State's small cannabis cultivators
with an economic opportunity as they are still recovering from losses
associated with the slow roll out of the legal market.
As the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) begins to implement the track
and trace program, the level of inversion in the marketplace will become
more apparent. The MRTA included distress farmers as social and economic
equity applicants keeping with the original intent of the law, their
temporary expanded canopy allowance is justified.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is new legislation.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL:
This legislation will have no fiscal implications for State or Local
Governments.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shalt sunset December 81,
2028.