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Q&A
Cannabis enforcement's impact on OATH's resources and budget
2:02:16
ยท
58 sec
Commissioner Rahman explains that the legalization of cannabis and the sheriff's new enforcement powers have led to an increase in OATH's caseload and resource needs. This change has been a significant factor in OATH's budget increases.
- New cannabis cases require expedited handling
- OATH needed additional adjudicators (part-time and full-time) and administrative staff
- These new needs led to requests for additional funding from OMB
Asim Rahman
2:02:16
Well, can answer it in a word and that word is cannabis.
Lincoln Restler
2:02:20
Is what?
Asim Rahman
2:02:21
Is cannabis.
2:02:22
Cannabis.
2:02:22
A key change since when we last sat here, council member, was the legal change that allowed the sheriff of New York City to enforce the state cannabis law.
2:02:35
And anyone who of course is subject to a fine or a penalty is entitled to due process, and those cases came before oath.
2:02:42
So we had a new form of case come to us in the last year, and not just a new form, but a case that was subject to expedited handling.
2:02:51
So we needed additional resources.
2:02:53
That included additional adjudicators, both part time and full time, and that included other administrative staff.
2:02:59
So those are just some of the changes over the last year where we've gone to OMB and said there's a new need.
2:03:08
We need additional funding.
2:03:09
And we received that funding.
2:03:11
There was a second part to your question that I don't recall, council member.