New York Assembly Bill 1234, which would include cannabis within the legal definition of crops, livestock, and livestock products, was officially delivered to Governor Kathy Hochul today.
The bill passed overwhelmingly in both legislative chambers earlier this year, with a 58-3 vote in the Senate and a 141-3 vote in the Assembly.
Filed by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo in January 2023 with 21 bipartisan cosponsors, the measure amends Section 301 of New York’s agriculture and markets law by adding cannabis to the list of agricultural products. If signed into law, this legislation will recognize cannabis as an agricultural commodity, aligning it with crops like fruits, vegetables, and grains under state law.
The bill’s text is concise (a single page), modifying existing legal language to include cannabis as defined by New York’s cannabis law. Advocates argue this amendment would provide clarity for farmers and other stakeholders in the growing cannabis industry, potentially opening up opportunities for state-level agricultural resources and protections.
Governor Hochul, who has not indicated her position on the bill, has 10 days to sign it into law or veto it, or it will become law without a signature. If enacted, it would take effect immediately.
