Issues are occurring in New York as we get nearer to the Hashish Management Board (CCB) and the Workplace of Hashish Administration (OCM) issuing adult-use licenses: at this time (July 14, 2022), the New York Metropolis Hearth Division (FDNY) issued a memo to its branches stating that the FDNY stops hashish testing for firefighters and candidates to the FDNY. The choice to cease testing is at the side of the New York Metropolis Regulation Division issuing “steering that prohibits adversarial employment actions based mostly on off-hours marijuana utilization.”
From a cultural perspective, it is a massive deal. Whereas New York Metropolis and Mayor Eric Adams have been vocal proponents of New York Metropolis embracing a authorized hashish trade, a historically conservative department of municipal companies just like the FDNY embracing hashish use (off-hours, in fact) is a big signpost. The change in testing coverage isn’t rapid: the FDNY will subject steering on the adjustments inside 2 weeks. One different important and comprehensible caveat: the FDNY will proceed to check staff who’re suspected of being intoxicated on the job.
Response to the New York Metropolis Regulation Division’s steering was not uniform throughout municipal companies. Notably, the New York Metropolis Coverage Division has not but introduced implementing any coverage adjustments and will probably be consulting with New York Metropolis as a part of evaluating federal conflicts. It does warrant mentioning that the NYPD initially launched its personal assertion revising its insurance policies, before retracting the assertion for additional consideration.
The municipal company bulletins popping out of New York are simply one other thrilling step in the direction of a completely shaped adult-use hashish trade. On July 14, 2022, the CCB also held another board meeting during which the conditional adult-use retail dispensary guidelines and laws have been authorized and revised medical guidelines and laws have been launched. Keep tuned for our breakdown of the board assembly and of the principles and laws!