Int. No. 285
By Council Members Riley, Williams, Stevens, Farías, Nurse, Hanif, Hudson, Menin, Velázquez, Ayala, Restler, Abreu, Krishnan, Avilés, Rivera, Moya, Louis, Gutiérrez, Richardson Jordan, Schulman, Ossé, Mealy, Won and Brewer
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to the establishment of an office of cannabis business services
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 56 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 1309 to read as follows:
§ 1309 Office of cannabis business services. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
Cannabis. The term “cannabis” has the same meaning as such term is defined in section three of the cannabis law.
Cannabis control board. The term “cannabis control board” has the same meaning as such term is defined in section three of the cannabis law.
Cannabis establishment. The term “cannabis establishment” means any business engaging in commercial cannabis activity.
Commercial cannabis activity. The term “commercial cannabis activity” means the production, processing, possession, storing, laboratory testing, packaging, labeling, transportation, delivery, or sale of cannabis and cannabis products.
Communities disproportionately impacted. The term “communities disproportionately impacted” has the same meaning as such term is defined in section eighty-seven of the cannabis law.
Social and economic equity applicant. The term “social and economic equity applicant” has the same meaning as such term is defined in section three of the cannabis law.
b. There shall be an office of cannabis business services within the department. The purpose of such office shall be to establish goals and promote equitable ownership and participation in cannabis establishments for individuals who are from communities disproportionately impacted by the enforcement of cannabis prohibition in the city.
c. The responsibilities of the office shall include:
1. monitoring the implementation of regulations pursuant to the cannabis law governing cannabis and cannabis establishments in the city;
2. establishing citywide social and economic cannabis equity goals at no less than those established under section eighty-seven of the cannabis law;
3. assisting social and economic equity applicants in applying for a license to operate cannabis establishments in accordance with article four of the cannabis law; and
4. offering, to the extent permitted under the cannabis law, incentives and programs to social and economic equity applicants in the city.
d. The office shall offer the following incentives and programs for social and economic equity applicants, to the extent permitted under the cannabis law:
1. legal and technical advice;
2. a subsidized loan program or programs;
3. assistance in identifying appropriate commercial locations including affordable retail space; and
4. any other benefit or mechanism that the office believes will further the purpose of an equity program.
e. One year from the enactment of this local law and every six months thereafter, the commissioner shall submit a report to the mayor and the council on matters relating to the status of commercial cannabis activity within the city. Such report shall include, but shall not be limited to, the total number of cannabis establishments, total local tax revenue collected from such establishments, the participation of social and economic equity applicants in cannabis establishments, and the impact of cannabis legalization on public safety, land use, environmental protection, health, consumer protection and social justice. Such report shall also include an evaluation of the social and economic equity incentives and programs offered by the office of cannabis business services and recommendations for improvement.
§ 3. This local law takes effect immediately.
Session 12
XC
LS #8473
4/15/22 2:20pm
Session 11
CK/ARP
LS # 7854-8015
09/28/21