Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Cannabis enforcement challenges and potential legislative changes
3:17:56
ยท
112 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about potential limitations in state law or areas where greater flexibility is needed for effective cannabis enforcement. The Chief Assistant for Regulatory Law and Policy provides insights while maintaining confidentiality on privileged matters.
- There is a current decision regarding enforcement of places that sell hemp, which the city is exploring further legal avenues to address.
- The Law Department is continuously evaluating how to best use existing laws and advise agencies on enforcement.
- Council members express willingness to advocate for state law changes if needed to improve enforcement capabilities.
- The Law Department representatives maintain discretion on privileged discussions but acknowledge ongoing efforts to optimize enforcement strategies.
Lincoln Restler
3:17:56
But one more just cannabis follow-up to Councilmember Brewer.
3:18:01
Ms.
3:18:01
Neufeld, are there any I realize it's the agencies that are doing the enforcement day to day, but are there any limitations that you've seen in state law or areas where there's a need for greater flexibility or things that you would highlight for us to ensure that we can consistently shut down illegal cannabis operators?
3:18:21
Are there any roadblocks that we're encountering on a consistent or, you know, a recurring basis?
Katrina Porter
3:18:27
I
Sheryl Neufeld
3:18:27
will say what I can say publicly, which is there is a current decision which you might be aware of regarding enforcement of places that sell hemp and how the city can or can't enforce in those locations.
3:18:46
That's a public decision.
3:18:47
There are further legal avenues that we're gonna be exploring with the courts on that, but that is a current subject that we're thinking about.
Lincoln Restler
3:18:56
Okay.
3:18:57
And in addition to hemp, there isn't any you don't you feel like we have been empowered appropriately as a city to enforce against illegal cannabis shops?
Sheryl Neufeld
3:19:07
So some of those touch on areas that are covered by privilege discussions, but it's always something that we're thinking about to make sure we're using the law the best way that we can and advising the agencies in that way.
Lincoln Restler
3:19:18
Okay.
3:19:19
If there are changes that you think we should be pursuing, I think it's it's primarily state law that we should be advocating for.
3:19:27
I know this is a great Councilmember Brewer is a great passionate advocate for on this issue, but I think many members of the council would similarly want to help push.
3:19:37
And so if you have any advice or council you'd like to share with us on ways in which we can be helpful in helping to amend decisions that have been made in Albany, please let us know.
Sheryl Neufeld
3:19:46
Thank you very much.