On Tuesday, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, initiated a fresh campaign across the state to motivate consumers to procure cannabis from regulated recreational marijuana outlets within the state. Recreational use of cannabis was sanctioned in New York in 2021, with the first authorized dispensary beginning to sell recreational marijuana in Manhattan in the closing days of December 2022.
“To enhance the wellbeing and security of all New Yorkers, we are equipping them with necessary information for informed choices and responsible enjoyment of cannabis,” Hochul expressed in a statement from her office. “As we persist in constructing a more balanced and healthier cannabis market, I am delighted to set off this essential public awareness campaign to foster safer, legal acquisitions of cannabis from licensed dispensaries spread across our state.”
Campaign Kicked Off in Time for 4/20
The fresh initiative, known as “Why Buy Legal New York,” was unveiled as a limited number of state-licensed adult-use cannabis retailers readied themselves for the first 4/20 within the legal industry, a significant occasion within the cannabis culture. The campaign zeroes in on three aspects: safeguarding public health, endorsing social equity, and community reinvestments, and it highlights licensed cannabis operators praising the merits of regulated marijuana enterprises and their offerings.
“We are thrilled to introduce this campaign to encourage safe and legal procurement of cannabis in New York,” commented Tremaine Wright, the chairwoman of the New York Cannabis Control Board. “By backing licensed dispensaries, consumers can be assured of acquiring safe and correctly labeled products, while also supporting their local communities.”
The primarily digital campaign will aim to elucidate the potential risks tied to cannabis from the unregulated market, which lacks mandatory lab testing for safety and potency. The advertisements in the campaign will also underline how buying cannabis from the regulated market aids the state’s social and economic objectives for communities across New York state. The initiative, aimed at cannabis consumers aged 21 and above, includes educational resources like “The Guide to Safer Cannabis Consumption” and details on how to locate legal dispensaries in New York. The campaign’s materials and tips for safe consumption are also accessible online.
“We aim to ensure that New Yorkers are well-informed about the potential risks and advantages of using cannabis,” stated Chris Alexander, the executive director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management. “Our objective is to empower consumers to make informed choices and to guarantee they have access to the safest products available. New York boasts a number of remarkable dispensaries statewide, and I urge cannabis consumers and those curious about cannabis to explore these shops for themselves.”
PSAs Highlight Licensed Cannabis Operators
The Why Buy Legal New York campaign spotlights licensed cannabis operators including Jasmine and King, cultivators with a community-centric and wellness-focused approach to cannabis. Howard, a licensed processor, emphasizes modern safety practices and educational efforts to generate safer cannabis products, while Damien, a licensed retailer, advocates for social justice reform and community reinvestment, contributing over five years of business ownership experience to New York’s regulated cannabis sector. Eddie, another licensed processor, utilizes knowledge garnered from over five generations of family farming to create safer cannabis products for the regulated market.
Lyla Hunt, deputy director of public health and education campaigns, emphasized that the Why Buy Legal New York initiative is “vital to enlightening New Yorkers about the significance of legally purchasing cannabis from licensed dispensaries.”
“These public service announcements are crafted to provide a stark contrast to the exaggerations and false messaging experienced by many during cannabis prohibition. By underscoring the health and safety benefits of buying legally, we aim to foster trust in the regulated cannabis industry and urge New Yorkers to make informed choices regarding cannabis consumption,” Hunt elaborated. “This campaign also provides an opportunity to address historical injustices and advocate for community reinvestment while sharing crucial information about the regulated cannabis sector. We are eager to kick off this campaign, and we believe it will make a substantial impact on the lives of New Yorkers, fostering a safer and fairer cannabis industry for everyone and advancing New York State’s education-first approach.”
The campaign is designed to help rectify the damages done during prohibition and to encourage reinvestment in communities, while also offering vital information about the state-regulated cannabis industry. Public health and education campaigns’ deputy director, Lyla Hunt, believes that the “Why Buy Legal New York” initiative is crucial in educating New Yorkers about the importance of obtaining cannabis legally from licensed dispensaries.
“By emphasizing the health and safety benefits of purchasing legally, we aim to foster trust in the regulated cannabis industry and motivate New Yorkers to make well-informed decisions regarding their cannabis consumption,” Hunt further added. “We’re enthusiastic about launching this campaign, confident that it will significantly improve the lives of New Yorkers, helping to establish a safer and more equitable cannabis industry for everyone and furthering New York State’s commitment to prioritizing education.”
