BUFFALO, N.Y. — Some marijuana growers licensed by the state are upset with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul who they say turned her back on them, despite promises to secure funds in the state budget to keep them going as they struggle to stay afloat.
"At every every turn this program is a disaster," said Joe Caladerone, president of the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, made up of growers who invested considerable time and money to get licensed and then even more to raise a crop.
The group says New York's clunky rollout of its retail marijuana program, which Calderone says has become "a laughing stock in other states" has resulted in significantly fewer stores than anticipated being opened by now.
With not enough places to sell to, it left farmers having to destroy some of what they grew and losing their shirts in the process.
"According to a survey of 108 of our farmers they are underwater for tens of millions of dollars in debts. S they were looking for a relief fund," Calderone said.
The fund as envisioned would be provided for in the state budget in order to tide the growers over until things improved.
"This would be based on the failed rollout of the (state cannabis) program because whose going to put plants in the ground if they are worried they are going to lose more money or investment?"
Calderone says despite a promise by the governor she would help .no relief has come.
“On March 4, during the Farm Bureau’s Taste of New York event, Governor Hochul looked our farmers in the eye, promising to work with the legislature on providing immediate cash relief. Yet, here we are, the crisis worsening, with Hochul's office showing a chilling disregard for those same farmers." said Calderone. "Meanwhile the governor celebrated the opening of the 105th store...when we were supposed to have many many more within the second or thirds year so I'm not sure what the governor is celebrating."
Now, according to Calderone, a growing number of growers are giving up, and trying to cut their losses after having seen their dreams go up in smoke
"In fact, some of the new entrants are actually shopping around their licenses. We know of six alone that are brokering their licenses, both micro businesses and cultivators," Calderone said.
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