Empire State NORML

04/28/2024

Congrats to Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW workers at Central Processors NY in Syracuse, NY, who have ratified their first union contract! These members work at the first unionized adult-use cultivation and processing facility in New York State!

02/25/2024

Today we suffered a great loss with the passing of Nancy Udell, an inspirational and driving force of Empire State NORML. In the darkest of times Nancy’s indomitable optimism and commitment kept the Organization and movement marching forward to realize its fullest power and making legalization a reality in New York. Today she joins Doug Greene as yet another stalwart taken from us far too soon. May we all remember them both as we continue to reap the benefits of their commitments and contributions to cannabis legalization. Their presence in NORML and in our personal lives will be truly missed. Our condolences go out to Nancy's family during this difficult time.

02/18/2024

https://www.ma*****namoment.net/new-york-officials-approve-ma*****na-home-grow-rules-and-new-business-licenses-amid-rocky-start-for-legal-market/

New York regulators have approved draft rules to allow for the home cultivation of recreational ma*****na, and have signed off on more than 100 new cannabis business licenses that they hope will help the legal market overcome its “rocky start” this year. Amid sharp criticism from the governor an...

01/29/2024

"Empire State NORML strongly supports Senator Gillibrand’s call for the federal descheduling of cannabis. The repeal of cannabis prohibition through rescheduling does not promote New York’s stated goal in the Ma*****na Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”), of redressing the harms of the War on Drugs. By rescheduling cannabis as a Schedule III medicine may be the catalyst to the unintended consequence of creating a national medical monopoly that could supplant the existing cannabis industry found in New York and more than 40 other states which has produced more than half a million jobs and billions of dollars of revenue. Such an industry contraction and concentration of the ownership of the means of production to the medical industry could stifle competition and inhibit strain development and cannabinoid innovation richly found in the existing and ongoing market. Preservation of the state economies build around the cannabis industry and continued participation of the diverse pool of independent operators and entrepreneurs across the nation should be a greater priority than solely bestowing alleviation from IRS Code 280e to a chosen few. The potential for that devastating consequence can be avoided by descheduling cannabis and allowing the states to continue in their missions to foster existing markets while promoting at a more grass roots level the health and welfare of their cannabis consuming constituents.” – Empire State NORML

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Congressman Jerrold Nadler, New York State Senator Cordell Cleare, New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam, New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs, New York State Assemblymember Rev. Al Taylor, Executive Director of Empire State NORML David Holl...

01/18/2024

Irwin Dana Beal is behind bars tonight in Gooding County Jail in Southern Idaho, charged with felony ma*****na trafficking on Jan. 15. Bail was set at $250,000.

12/24/2023

https://apple.news/AWl8NT7wASO-KAyA7A_9Aww

Federal officials consider immigrants “drug traffickers” even in states where cannabis has been legalized.

12/23/2023

This article is an analysis of the current state of affairs in the cannabis industry.

States vowed that cannabis licenses would bring equity to places that suffered most in the drug war. Instead, most license holders are wealthy and white.

11/08/2023

Congrats OHiO!!💚

Ohio voters approved a ballot initiative to legalize ma*****na on Tuesday, making the state the 24th in the U.S. to end prohibition. The measure, campaigned for by the Coalition to Regulate Ma*****na Like Alcohol (CTRMLA), establishes a regulatory framework to allow adults 21 and older to purchase,....

10/31/2023

New York state senators grilled cannabis regulators on Monday about ways to bolster enforcement against illegal w**d shops.

10/30/2023

Live now:

Joint – Senate Subcommittee on Cannabis Chair: Senator Jeremy A. CooneySenate Standing Committee on Finance Chair: Senator Liz KruegerSenate Standing Committee on Agriculture Chair: Senator Michelle Hincheyand Senate Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations Chair: Senator Jam...

10/28/2023

https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/10/27/office-cannabis-management-chris-alexander-smoke-shops-suspends-trials/

While Gov. Hochul talks about cracking down, the Office of Cannabis Management has quietly suspended its enforcement hearings, THE CITY has learned, even as it keeps raiding illegal storefronts.

10/16/2023

With applicants and community boards racing to complete what they say has been a poorly communicated review process, the Office of Cannabis Management is belatedly touring the state to explain things.