New York Now
As New York considers legalizing marijuana for adult, recreational use, medical cannabis companies are urging the state Legislature to hand them a stake in the new market, saying the burgeoning industry will lag without their help.
Rather than wait for new cannabis cultivators to build from the ground up, medical cannabis companies say they could use their existing infrastructure to give the new market a boost.
Two reports commissioned by the New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association argue that allowing medical cannabis companies into the recreational market in New York as soon as possible could give the industry a boost, and jumpstart new job opportunities.
Marijuana legalization closer than ever in New York
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Deal Nears for Marijuana Legalization in New York
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New York state is already one of the biggest marijuana markets in the country the question before state lawmakers is whether that market should be legal or not.
A portion of this week’s joint legislative budget hearing on taxes included a discussion on marijuana taxes that have been included in the 2021-22 state budget, but the discussion quickly turned into a debate over the legalization of marijuana and not its impact on the state budget.
“I do just want to remind everyone all the concerns they may have about marijuana, and it’s legitimate, concerns about any kind of mind-altering drug, whether it’s alcohol or marijuana or a dangerous addictive drug, there are prices that come along with it,” said Sen. Liz Krueger, D-New York City and sponsor of the marijuana legalization bill in the state Senate.
Mercury
Mercury’s lobbying and public affairs firm, which is headed by Michael McKeon, boasts more than 30 media relations professionals in its New York office. The growing media relations team is led by former Bloomberg spokesperson John Gallagher, managing director and former National Action Network communications lead Rachel Noerdlinger, former Fox News producer Dan Bank and former Associated Press chief White House correspondent Ben Feller. Mercury, which represents a wide variety of clients, has a national presence that is bolstered by former New York Post reporter Stefan Friedman, who leads the media relations practice on the West Coast.
Other key employees: Beth DeFalco, Karen Mustiga, Kim Winston, John Tomlin, Djenny Passé, Shannan Siemens, Eric Bloom