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The executive director of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management, Chris Alexander, resigned following a highly publicized struggle with Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to the Times Union, Hochul announced in May that Alexander was asked to step down following a review of the state’s recreational marijuana program rollout. Alexander was expected to stay in his position until the end of September to allow the state to find a replacement, but last week he turned in a resignation letter, saying he will be leaving the first week of June.
New York has approved 132 dispensaries statewide despite having legalized marijuana in 2021. Alexander’s critics say that’s because he failed to successfully roll out the state’s program by missing deadlines and making missteps that resulted in lawsuits.
New York has also struggled with a proliferation of unlicensed cannabis shops posing as legitimate dispensaries since the drug was legalized. Critics blame Alexander for the Office of Cannabis Management’s failure to enforce regulations.
Hochul publicly thanked Alexander for his time at the helm of the state’s cannabis program.
Delaware Expands Medical Qualifications
A new law in Delaware has expanded qualifications for enrollment in the state’s medical cannabis program and could change how other states set up their policies going forward.
The new law will allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis for any medical condition that they see fit. The current list of qualifying conditions will be removed from law. It will also allow individuals over the age of 65 to determine whether they need medical cannabis treatment without the aid of a doctor or medical expert.
The law also extends the expiration period for medical cannabis card holders from one year to three years, while giving terminally ill patients the option of getting a card that never expires.
Meanwhile, another bill was passed by the Delaware House in March and is currently making its way through the state Senate. The bill would protect banks and credit unions from state interference if they choose to work with marijuana businesses.
Texas Hemp Association Pushes Back On Bans
A Texas hemp trade association is telling state lawmakers that proposed bans on hemp-derived intoxicants will damage the industry and harm workers.
According to a news release from the Texas Hemp Business Council, the group’s founding member, Lukas Gilkey, said bans like these will “negatively impact an industry that has an $8 billion economic impact, pays $1.6 billion in annual wages, and supports more than 50,000 workers.”
The council says hemp-derived cannabinoids offer an alternative to opioids and the illicit cannabis market. As part of its “Don’t Mess with Hemp” campaign, members of the group presented their case at a public hearing before the Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, calling for the state to leave the hemp industry alone.