FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 15, 2022

CONTACT:

Mike Lomuto, DEI Manager
(415) 335-2436, MikeLomuto@TheCannabisIndustry.org
Bethany Moore, Director of Communications
(303) 223-9727, Bethany@TheCannabisIndustry.org

NCIA’s Social Equity Roundtable Urges New York Governor To Extend Cannabis Pardons

Letter urges Governor Hochul to extend a pardon to all individuals convicted of marijuana offenses and release all nonviolent cannabis prisoners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, President Biden pardoned thousands of people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. In response, the organizations and businesses of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s (NCIA) New York Social Equity Roundtable have submitted a letter to Governor Hochul (D-NY) strongly urging her to extend a pardon to all individuals who have been convicted of cannabis offenses under New York State law, including ordering the release of all nonviolent cannabis prisoners who are currently detained in the state.

Since early 2022, NCIA has been conducting an ongoing roundtable discussion, consisting of multiple national- and New York-based cannabis social equity and industry organizations to assess the state’s proposed rules and regulations and provide feedback related to issues affecting potential social equity operators. The roundtable’s goal is to provide sensible and workable regulations that keep diversity, inclusion, and social equity at the center of the opportunities presented in New York State.

The full text of the Roundtable’s open letter is available online.

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The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is the largest cannabis trade association in the U.S. and the only organization broadly representing cannabis-related businesses at the national level. NCIA promotes the growth of a responsible and legitimate cannabis industry and works toward a favorable social, economic, and legal environment for that industry in the United States.