Governor Kathy Hochul (D) approves legislation promoting hemp as a packaging and construction alternative.
As adult-use cannabis is about to launch throughout the state, New York lawmakers are also looking to the hemp plant to provide economic and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the construction and packaging sectors, among many others, according to a recent report.
Late last month, New York Governor Kathy Hocul (D) signed a bill sponsored by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) amending a section of the state’s agriculture law. The amended statute dealt with how the Agriculture Commissioner should consult with additional partners in incorporating hemp and hemp products into more varied business operations throughout New York.
According to a summary, it makes specific changes to the language of the law requiring the Agriculture Commissioner of New York to “consult and cooperate with” the New York State Hemp Workgroup and other industry stakeholders “that currently use, or may potentially use, industrial hemp in their products to develop and promote the use of hemp by businesses for purposes such as packaging, construction, and other uses.”
Along with food, fiber, cannabinoid content and hempcrete, the expanded language of the law now extend to incorporate hemp “packaging” as an additional research, funding and economic development goal for the business partnerships.
In a press release concerning the newly signed bill, Hinchey said, “Hemp is the material of the future, and positioning New York as a leading producer of the world’s industrial hemp supply is a winning strategy for fighting the Climate Crisis, bringing large-scale economic development to New York’s rural communities, and unlocking new revenue sources to put our farmers in a better financial position.”
"Hemp is the material of the future, and positioning New York as a leading producer of the world’s industrial hemp supply is a winning strategy for fighting the Climate Crisis, bringing large-scale economic development to New York’s rural communities, and unlocking new revenue sources to put our farmers in a better financial position.”
- NY State Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D)
In addition to her work on this bill, Hinchey has authored legislation promoting recycling in the marijuana industry for when recreational sales eventually launch. Likewise, she was also a sponsor of a separate bill filed last year prioritizing the use of hemp-based packaging over synthetic plastics for cannabis products.
Regarding her diligent work in promoting hemp and its economic potential, Hinchey shares, “I’m proud that my hemp bill has been signed into law, directing our state to seek strategic collaborations to help us usher in a new era of manufacturing power, product creation, and rural economic development around an industry that is nearly untapped around the world.”
"I’m proud that my hemp bill has been signed into law, directing our state to seek strategic collaborations to help us usher in a new era of manufacturing power, product creation, and rural economic development around an industry that is nearly untapped around the world.”
- NY State Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D)
This effort coincides with the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announcing the first 36 Conditional Adult Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensees and a package of rules for the industry. A move signaling that recreational marijuana sales are imminent in the Empire State.
Furthermore, officials also announced the selection of the ten teams to construct roughly 150 turn-key storefront facilities for the social equity cannabis retailers to operate out of once the adult-use market launches.
From the expanded use of hemp and its potential applications to finally enjoying the many benefits of recreational cannabis, it should be a very green holiday season for New Yorkers. Not to mention the substantial economic impact both hemp and marijuana will supply over the coming months and years.
Once a ubiquitous cash crop cultivated and sold by several of the Founding Fathers, hemp is getting a much-deserved comeback in America, both as a multi-faceted raw material for construction and packaging and an ancient medicinal plant. It should be fascinating to see how far it goes in helping build this country while potentially helping to heal the environment and its human inhabitants.
