Tremaine Wright: Making social equity the focal point of New York’s forthcoming cannabis market

High Priority

Since passing in March 2021, New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) has been recognized as one of the most progressive pieces of cannabis legislation in the country. While the bill prioritizes key social equity initiatives –including accessible licensing for communities impacted by cannabis enforcement, a community reinvestment fund, and automatic expungement, the long-term success of these programs will largely depend on the legal frameworks currently being developed by New York’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB). In this episode, we speak to CCB Chair Tremaine Wright about how her office plans to follow through on the MRTA’s commitments, the often overlooked resources that aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs can tap into, and what a successful adult-use rollout can, and should, look like. New Yorkers who want to make their voices heard during this process can get involved at https://cannabis.ny.gov/