BILL NUMBER: S1682
SPONSOR: HINCHEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the cannabis law, in relation to the packaging of canna-
bis and hemp products
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Requires the board to develop strategic plans with a primary
focus on using industrial hemp in the packaging and labeling requir-
envnts to be used prior to retail sale of any cannabis or cannabis prod-
uct to a cannabis consumer.
Section 2: Establishes a sustainable cannabis packaging incubator
program to encourage the use and development of sustainable cannabis
packaging materials, with an emphasis on using industrial hemp. The
section also establishes conditions participants in the program shall
adhere to
Section 3: Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
We are drowning in a world of excessive, non-biodegradable packaging,
leaving our landfills overflowing and our watetways littered with plas-
tics. In order to sdve our solid waste problem, we have to be creative
with new forms of packaging and the materials we use to create it.
With the legalization of cannabis in New York State, we've not only
established a contemporary market opportunity, but now have an exciting
new avenue for sustainable packaging with Industrialized Hemp. What
we've seen as cannabis has been legalized across other states, is that
these communities have experienced dramatic increases in waste manage-
ment issues caused by single-use containers for adult-use and medicinal
cannabis, further adding to our ever-growing solid waste crisis. This
biN seeks to'capitalize on the burgeoning market for hemp, setting New
York State as a leader in the new biodegradable and industrial material,
while responding to a predictable and foreseeable problem in signif-
icantly increased environmentally-harmful waste by providing the Office
of Cannabis Management strategic guidance regarding ways to address any
waste management issues that will arise due, to this new market.
This bill, moreover, supports New York State farmers already in, or
seeking to enter, the hemp industry as they will titivate and provide
the raw materials used for packaging items in the growing adult-use
cannabis space. Both cannabis and hemp are agricultural products, and
these new market opportunities will significantly bolster the current
standing of many of our State's farms. The Legislature is In a po.sition
to find innovative ways to meet the goals of climate change mitigation
and support our struggling agricultural markets creating a win-win-win
for the environment, our farms, and the farm-economy.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
05/02/22 S7508 - REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
Minimal.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The one hundred twentieth day after it shall become law.

Statutes affected:
S1682: 81 cannabis law