The New York Post reported yesterday that NY Governor, Andrew Cuomo, will unveil a New York recreational cannabis plan to be likely included in his state budget for 2019. While the announced plan is still lacking a determined structure –particularly with regards to compliance and licensing (Get at us, Andy! info@mmlg.com)– the legalization writing has been on the wall for the better part of 2018. Let’s take a look.

New York Recreational Cannabis Was Only A Matter of Time

The Cuomo administration, who previously had been against legalization, has seen this coming. Again, the writing’s been on the wall. What with the NY-sanctioned public listening session, the OK to use cannabis in lieu of opioid painkillers, the state’s thorough financial audit of legalizing cannabis, and last week’s speculation on cannabis-based tax revenue shoring up NYC’s decrepit MTA system. Beyond all that, outside pressure from neighboring states such as Massachusetts’ legalization and New Jersey’s expected legalization in 2019, New York had to develop a canna-plan.

The NY Cannabis Plan Still Needs A Lot of Work

It’s completely possible that the state’s got a more extensive plan under lock and key in Albany. However, we kinda doubt it. With that in mind, it’s imperative that New York state lawmakers work efficiently and cooperatively with municipal leaders to iron out an effective plan for licensing, compliance, and revenue.

While states such as California, Colorado, Washington and others have seen beneficial revenue streams and jobs creation from regulated rec-use, those states have also seen hiccups in getting a heretofore unregulated market up and running. We know this because we’ve been instrumental in getting some of those states’ cannabis programs on-boarded. If you’re looking to get involved with New York’s recreational cannabis market, as an entrepreneur, investor, or anything else, get in touch with the experts at MMLG.