Governors This Week: Legal Weed Process, Governor Recalls, Voting Restrictions, and More

Hochul Kickstarts NY Legal Weed Process:

After months of delay by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), the New York Senate acted quickly to confirm Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) two appointments to head the agencies that will oversee the Empire State’s legal marijuana cultivation, distribution, and sales program.

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed the program into law back in March, but then never moved further to foster the regulatory framework required to get the program operational, specifically by failing to nominate a chair of the Cannabis Control Board and the executive director of the Office of Cannabis Management, two positions which need to be confirmed by the Senate. Cannabis cultivators had criticized Cuomo for the delay, saying that getting the regulatory framework in place was critical to competing with other states in the region that already have their own regulatory structure settled.

“Now we’re racing against the seasons, we’re racing against New Jersey, which has already released its regulations, and we’re racing against the federal government, which is trying to legalize cannabis and allow for interstate commerce,” said Allan Gandelman, a hemp farmer and president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association.

The Senate confirmed former assemblymember Tremaine Wright (D) as chairperson of the Cannabis Control Board, which will develop the regulatory framework governing the cannabis industry and ultimately award licenses to cannabis businesses, and Christopher Alexander as the executive director of the new Office of Cannabis Management, which will oversee the Adult-Use Program under the MRTA. 

“This has been long overdue, but we’re going to make up for lost time with the Senate confirmation,” Hochul said. (ALBANY TIMES-UNION, BUFFALO NEWS, JD SUPRA, NEW YORK POST, LAW360 TAX AUTHORITY)

Recall Numbers Turn in Newsom’s Favor:

After weeks of tightening polls that seemed to indicate a real chance he would be removed from office, a new survey shows a growing majority of voters oppose recalling California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

The poll by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows that 58 percent of likely voters favor keeping Newsom, compared to just 39 percent who would rather replace him with one of a litany of challengers from across the political spectrum.

Enthusiasm for keeping Newsom is unsurprisingly strongest among Democrats, with only seven percent supporting the recall. Meanwhile, 82 percent of Republicans favor removing Newsom. A smaller split exists among independents, with 49 opposing the recall and 44 percent favoring it.

Chief PPIC pollster Mark Baldassare said one of the survey’s more notable findings is the feeling among 41 percent of voters that the state would be worse off if Newsom is recalled, compared to just 31 percent that feels the state would be better off. (PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES TIMES)

Abbott Signs TX Voting Restrictions:

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signs SB 1, a bill that would add new ID requirements for people seeking to vote by mail; add new criminal penalties to the voting process; empower partisan poll watchers, and ban drive-through and 24-hour voting options. At least two lawsuits have already been filed seeking to overturn the measure. (TEXAS TRIBUNE, NPR)

NM Gov Signs Environmental Protection Order:

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed Executive Order 2021-052, a directive to conserve at least 30 percent of all lands in New Mexico by 2030. The order directs a half-dozen state agencies to coalesce behind the “30 by 30” plan by establishing programs that conserve, protect and enhance public lands for a variety of uses. An additional 20 percent will be designated as climate stabilization areas. (KRQE [ALBUQUERQUE], SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN, NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR’S OFFICE)

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN