East Hudson Valley News

Assemblyman Anil Beephan, Jr. (R,C-East Fishkill) stood alongside Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens) and other Assembly colleagues yesterday for a press conference introducing the Smokeout Act, a proposal aimed at addressing the proliferation of illegal marijuana businesses in New York.

"Local authorities are asking us to empower them by giving them the tools to manage the ongoing illegal marijuana business crisis, which I believe is a reasonable request," Beephan expressed during the conference. He emphasized the importance of granting local municipalities more authority over the licensing requirements for legal cannabis businesses to combat the spread of illicit operations.

The Smokeout Act seeks to grant local authorities the ability to enforce regulations and potentially close down businesses that do not comply with the set guidelines. Beephan acknowledged the necessity of providing communities with the means to maintain safety amidst the evolving landscape of cannabis legislation.

"I’m grateful to Assemblywoman Rajkumar for her leadership on this issue and look forward to voting in favor of this bill when the time comes," Beephan stated, recognizing the collaborative effort needed to address the challenges posed by unauthorized marijuana enterprises.

The proposed measure aims to streamline the regulatory framework for cannabis businesses in New York, allowing for a more coordinated approach between state and local jurisdictions. Beephan's endorsement of the Smokeout Act underscores the bipartisan support for addressing the issues surrounding illegal marijuana operations in the state.

As discussions on the Smokeout Act progress, Beephan and his legislative colleagues remain committed to finding effective solutions to combat the unauthorized marijuana business crisis and uphold community safety.