Why Auctions Will Kill Social Equity in New York and Beyond

BY: FREDERIKA EASLEY THE PEOPLE’S HOLDINGS

SIGN THE PETITION AT www.bitly.com/noauction

For years there has been talk about legalizing adult-use cannabis in NY. It appears that 2021 might be the year it happens. With efforts in Connecticut and New Jersey underway and unprecedented budget deficits due to the pandemic, there is motivation to get it done-- New York does not want to miss out on tax dollars. By 2025, in NY alone, the cannabis industry is estimated to be worth over $7 Billion.

But the devils in the details when it comes to how we’ll legalize here in NY. The Governor dropped his proposal last month and recently released a few tweaks to take care of the pushback he’s been receiving. However, still tucked away in there are six little lines that not enough people are talking about-- he is proposing to AUCTION off the licenses to operate day one in the new adult-use industry.

That’s right, Gov. Cuomo plans to sell the adult use market to the highest bidder. We know only a select group of all white-owned corporates will be able to take part.

This means everyday New Yorkers will be priced out and the very people, Black and Brown folks, who have been over policed, harassed and jailed will not be able to participate in the industry they created. Simply put, an auction means no equity! We cannot let that happen! The voices of the people are needed now more than ever.

We know that this is not only wrong, it’s going to set the new legal industry in NY up for failure. In California they did not create pathways for people from the legacy market to join the legal economy and the legal economy couldn’t compete-- tax revenues got deferred, it was a mess. Not to mention, when cannabis is federally legalized, this auction would mean New Yorkers are blocked out of being competitive in the new national industry.

Gov. Cuomo needs to know that we ain’t going for the okeydoke. We will not be distracted. We don’t just want crumbs we want thick ass slices of the pie!

He may try to offer our communities a bone here and there, but we have to peep game and let him know-- this is OUR NY and our communities should continue to be the foundation of the industry, not blocked out and sold out.

The final decision will be made in April, so we have 30 days to let our voices be heard! Sign our NO AUCTION petition and call your state legislators TODAY! Share it on social media, let your folks know, and have them take action!