NY Economic Opportunities

ACCELERATOR PROGRAMs

As NY first shapes this new industry, we can learn from the experiences elsewhere. We don’t want corporate canna-businesses controlling this industry. Instead, the state should provide direct financial and professional support to farmers and small entrepreneurs, taking the opportunity of legalization to affirmatively create businesses across the state. We are urging the state to partner with New Yorkers in a socio-economic accelerator program. The State should fund 5 accelerators in strategic locations across NY, licensed to perform all aspects of the business from seed to sale, enabling regular New Yorkers the opportunity to participate in this new industry and ensuring a socially equitable supply chain. We want as many of the billions New Yorkers are going to be paying annually for cannabis, to stay in New York, creating good paying jobs and businesses for regular New Yorkers.

SEED TO SALE

New York’s cannabis law should include specific provisions to spark a thriving craft industry that allows small entrepreneurs to participate in and benefit from this new market opportunity. Cannabis can offer more than just tax revenue and a few corporate jobs — it can be the backbone of revitalized communities that encourages and supports small community producers from seed to sale.