[ THEME MUSIC ] 1 >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," STATE LAWMAKERS APPROVE NEW GUN LAWS AND PROTECTIONS FOR ABORTION IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL GET INTO THAT AND MORE WITH KAREN DeWITT FROM NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO AND MICHAEL GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY.

LATER, AN UPDATE OF THE STATE'S ROLL OUT OF LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES.

PLUS, A NEW EDITION OF ON THE BILL.

I'M DAN CLARK AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M DAN CLARK.

IT'S BEEN A VERY LONG SIX MONTHS, BUT THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN ALBANY IS FINALLY OVER.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, NEW YORK'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION RUNS FROM JANUARY TO JUNE EVERY YEAR, AND THIS YEAR, IT'S BEEN JAMPACKED WITH A LOT OF NEW POLICY AND SPENDING OUT OF ALBANY.

WE SAW CHANGES TO BAIL REFORM, A NEW STATE ETHICS AGENCY, DEEPER INVESTMENTS IN AREAS LIKE CHILD CARE AND HOME CARE AND A LOT MORE IN THE STATE BUDGET.

THAT PASSED IN APRIL.

AND THERE WAS STILL MORE ON THE TABLE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, BUT TWO BIG ISSUES PROMPTED BY NATIONAL AND LOCAL HEADLINES ROSE TO THE FOREFRONT, GUNS 2 AND ABORTION.

TAKE A LOOK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ARRIVED IN ALBANY WITH A TO-DO LIST.

AT THE TOP WERE NEW GUN LAWS.

AFTER THE RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS IN BUFFALO AND UVALDE, TEXAS, AND NEW ABORTION PROTECTIONS AS THE SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS A REVERSAL OF ROE V. WADE.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS.

>> THIS IS A SESSION WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN OUR EYES OFF THE BALL.

WE CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT NEW YORKERS AND THEIR NEEDS ARE THE CENTER OF WHAT IT IS WE DO.

>> ON ABORTION, NEW LAWS IN NEW YORK WILL GRANT NEW LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO COME HERE FROM ANOTHER STATE TO HAVE THE PROCEDURE, AND THE PROVIDERS WHO PERFORM THEM.

THOSE PROVIDERS WILL BE PROTECTED FROM CLAIMS OF MEDICAL MISCONDUCT FOR PROVIDING ABORTIONS TO THOSE FROM OUT OF STATE, AND THOSE PATIENTS WILL HAVE A NEW DEFENSE IN NEW YORK AGAINST EXTRADITION AND LITIGATION IF THEIR HOME STATE BANS THE PRACTICE.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER JESSICA GONZALES-ROJAS, A DEMOCRAT FROM QUEENS, IS A SUPPORTER OF THOSE IDEAS.

>> AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT ANY PERSON COMING TO NEW YORK TO GET CARE OR ANY DOCTOR PROVIDING CARE FOR SOMEONE OUT OF STATE WILL BE PROTECTED IN ACCESSING THAT 3 CARE AND TO ENSURE IT'S NOT CRIMINALIZED.

>> REPUBLICANS WERE LARGELY AGAINST THOSE IDEAS WITH ALMOST UNANIMOUS OPPOSITION FROM THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER DAVID DIPIETRO, IS A REPUBLICAN FROM WESTERN NEW YORK.

>> YOU HAVE YOUR OPINION.

I HAVE MINE, AND I WILL STAND ON VERY FIRM ON MY BELIEFS THAT THIS IS NOTHING BUT MURDER.

>> ON GUNS, LAWMAKERS STRUCK A DEAL ON A PACKAGE OF NEW LAWS AFTER THE RECENT MASS SHOOTINGS IN BUFFALO AND TEXAS.

THE AGE TO BUY A SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE IN NEW YORK WILL NOW BE RAISED TO 21 AND BUYERS WILL HAVE TO GET A LICENSE.

LOCAL AND STATE POLICE WILL NOW BE REQUIRED TO TELL A JUDGE IF SOMEONE SHOWS SIGNS OF DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS UNDER THE STATE'S RED FLAG GUN LAW.

THE JUDGE WOULD THEN DECIDE IF THAT PERSON CAN SAFELY OWN A GUN OR NOT.

SENATOR JAMES SKOUFIS SPONSORED THAT BILL.

>> YOU KNOW, WE DO-- WE DO WANT TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THAT DISCRETION AND ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION WHERE IF, YOU KNOW THERE ARE CERTAIN TRIGGER POINTS THAT ARE SEEN BY LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT A RED FLAG HAS TO BE CONSIDERED NOT MAY BE CONSIDERED.

>> OTHER NEW LAWS WILL REQUIRE TIGHTER TRACKING OF 4 RECOVERED OR SEIZED GUNS, BAN THE SALE OF BODY VESTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CHART A PATH FOR MICROSTAMPING, THAT WOULD REQUIRE GUNS TO PRINT A SMALL SERIAL CODE ON EVERY FIRED ROUND THAT WOULD LINK BACK TO ITS OWNER AND IT WILL NOW BE A CRIME TO MAKE A THREAT OF MASS HARM IN NEW YORK, AND SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES WILL NOW HAVE TO CREATE CLEAR POLICIES FOR MONITORING AND ADDRESSING HATEFUL CONDUCT.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PAT FAHY IS A DEMOCRAT FROM ALBANY.

>> AND WE ALSO KNOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER BUFFALO, WE KNOW THAT SOME ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE, TOOK DOWN POSTS WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND OTHERS IT WAS HOURS.

SO WE'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT CLEAR, CONCISE POLICY OF THIS HATEFUL SPEECH, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A REPORTING MECHANISM.

SO BUSINESSES, WE'RE NOT TELLING THEM HOW TO DO IT, WE'RE TELLING THEM THEY MUST.

>> REPUBLICANS CAME OUT AGAINST NEW GUN LAWS.

STATE REPUBLICAN CHAIR NICK LANGWORTHY SAID THAT STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS SHOULD INSTEAD MAKE DEEPER INVESTMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

>> EVERYONE WANTS TO JUMP ON NEW GUN LAWS, BUT WE HAVE TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHY ARE YOUNG MEN FULL OF EXTREME HATE IF THEIR HEARTS KILLING PEOPLE IN A DRASTIC FASHION LIKE THIS.

WHY ARE 5 THESE TRAGEDIES HAPPENING?

>> LAWMAKERS TIED UP SOME LOOSE ENDS IN THE FINAL DAYS OF SESSION.

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS GOT MIXED RESULTS ON TWO OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES, A CONTROVERSIAL TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM FOR HOUSING DEVELOPERS WAS LEFT TO EXPIRE, BUT LAWMAKERS AGREED TO EXTEND THE LAW THAT GIVES THE MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY TOTAL CONTROL OVER CITY SCHOOLS FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

MAJORITY LEADER ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS AGAIN.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE MAYOR AND TO HELP THE, YOU KNOW, NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLCHILDREN AND EVERY CHILD, FRANKLY, GET A QUALITY EDUCATION AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK-- I THINK IT WILL BE-- I THINK IT WILL BE FINE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE PARTNERS IN ORDER TO GET THE GREAT OUTCOMES WE WANT.

>> BUT OTHER ITEMS DIDN'T GAIN ENOUGH SUPPORT TO PASS.

A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE SPELLED OUT NEW EVICTION PROTECTIONS DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES AND CHANGES TO THE STATE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAWS, INCLUDING PAROLE REFORM, COULDN'T GAIN SUPPORT.

BOTH ISSUES ARE EXPECTED TO COME UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO ALBANY.

THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY.

[ THEME MUSIC ] AND THAT BRINGS TO US FRIDAY 6 MORNING WHEN WE TAPE NEW YORK NOW.

LET'S BREAK DOWN THE WEEK THAT WAS AND LOOK AHEAD WITH KAREN DeWITT WITH NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO AND MIKE GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> NICE TO BE HERE.

>> ON THIS WONDERFUL FRIDAY MORNING.

>> RIGHT.

>> SO AS WE SPEAK, THE SENATE HAS WRAPPED UP FOR THE YEAR.

THE ASSEMBLY IS STILL VOTING.

SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT THAT I WANT TO START WITH, REALLY INTERESTING, IS THE STATE IS POSSIBLY-- THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY PASSED A BILL THAT WILL PUT A TWO-YEAR MORATORIUM ON SOMETHING CALLED CRYPTO MINING.

FOR OUR VIEWERS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR, IT'S BASICALLY YOU USE COMPUTERS AND YOU SOLVE MATH PROBLEMS AND YOU GET BIT COIN THAT'S THE SIMPLEST WAY I CAN EXPLAIN IT.

>> RIGHT.

IT USES A LOT OF ENERGY.

THAT'S THE KEY THING THAT HAS BEEN VERY CONTROVERSIAL ABOUT IT.

THE CRYPTO MINING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN REPURPOSING OLD COAL MINING PLANTS.

THEY DON'T USE COAL ANYMORE BUT THEY USE NATURAL GAS AND THERE'S ONE IN SENECA LAKE THAT'S CONTROVERSIAL.

THEY WANT TO DO ONE IN NORTH TONAWANDA AND IT USES A LOT OF POWER, 7 AND THERE'S A CONCERN WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE THAT ALL THIS POWER IS BEING USED, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT FINALLY PUT IT OVER THE EDGE IN THE SENATE, WHICH WAS HESITATING, AS LATE AS THURSDAY AFTERNOON ABOUT WHETHER THEY WOULD DO THAT OR NOT.

>> YEAH.

I THINK I WOKE UP TO THE NEWS THAT IT HAD PASSED THE ASSEMBLY.

WHICH WENT TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT, IT WAS STILL NOT QUITE THERE AND THEN-- I SHOULD SAY, MIKE, AND I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS.

THIS RARELY HAPPENS.

USUALLY BY THIS TIME, WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO PASS AND THERE'S NO BIG SURPRISES.

TAKE ME BEHIND THE SCENES OF WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED.

>> WELL, THERE'S BEEN-- YOU'RE RIGHT.

THIS RARELY HAPPENS, BUT YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD CASES OF THIS BEFORE.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN AT THE END OF SESSION OR JUST BEFORE THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED ON APRIL 1, YOU CAN GET AN INFLUX OF VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE PUSHING FOR THIS.

AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE SAYING THEY'RE CRITICIZING THE LEGISLATURE FOR NOT DOING MORE ON CLIMATE CHANGE, AND THEY SORT OF IN THE LAST TWO DAYS FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE, AND THEY PUSHED IT HARD, AND THE LEGISLATURE-- IN FAIRNESS, THE DEMOCRATS SUPPORT THIS SORT OF THING, BUT IT BECAME IMPERATIVE FOR THEM GOING 8 INTO THE ELECTIONS HERE IN THE FALL TO HAVE SOME BIG WIN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PEOPLE BECAUSE THAT-- THAT MOTIVATES THE BASE, AND THAT BECOMES A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

SO IT'S UNUSUAL, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND IT'S A GOOD LESSON FOR GRASS ROOTS PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN APPLY PRESSURE RIGHT AT THE END AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL COME THROUGH.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> THERE WAS ALSO THE KNOWN BIG, UGLY DEAL.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIDN'T ENGAGE WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

I'LL TRADE FOR THIS.

I'LL TRADE FOR THAT.

MOSTLY THEY FOCUSED ON REACTING TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT POTENTIALLY STRIKING DOWN ROE V. WADE AND THE MASS SHOOTINGS IN BUFFALO AND TEXAS.

THAT SEEMED TO DOMINATE THE END OF THE SESSION.

THEY GOT AGREEMENTS ON ALL THOSE BILLS PRETTY EASILY.

I THOUGHT ALL THE REST OF THE STUFF WOULD FALL OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE THERE WAS SO LITTLE TALK OF IT.

>> I HAD SEEN-- >> AND IN THAT SITUATION, IF YOU'RE A SAVVY LOBBYIST, LIKE A LOT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBYISTS ARE, YOU CAN GET IN AND JUST CONVINCE A FEW PEOPLE AND GET A WIN.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH CRYPTO THIS YEAR HAS POURED SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS EFFORT.

9 >> RIGHT.

>> I MEAN, EVERYONE-- EVERY LOBBYING FIRM IN ALBANY HAS A CLIENT RIGHT NOW THAT IS CRYPTO IS WHAT SOMEBODY TOLD ME.

PR FIRMS IN ALBANY HAVE CLIENTS THAT ARE CRYPTO.

THEY DIDN'T REALLY WANT THIS TO GO THROUGH.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, MIKE.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD LESSON ON HOW THE LITTLE GUYS CAN SOMEHOW COME THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE ESPECIALLY WITH THE SOME THESE NEWER LAWMAKERS WHO ARE MORE WILLING TO LISTEN TO THEM THAN THE LOBBYISTS FROM THESE BIG INDUSTRIES.

>> BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS, IS GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL GOING TO SIGN IT?

SHE'S BEEN PRETTY MUCH ON THE FENCE AND UNIONS THAT WANT MORE CRYPTO MINING HAVE ENDORSED HER AND SHE'S GOT A PRIMARY COMING UP IN A FEW WEEKS.

I THINK THAT'S GOING TO PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON HER.

WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS BILL?

>> NOW, I WANT TO TURN TO GUNS AND ABORTION BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE PRIMARY.

DO YOU THINK, KAREN, THAT THAT HELPS HER IN THE PRIMARY?

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S NECESSARILY IN DANGER.

I WILL SAY THAT MUCH, BUT SHE SUPPORTS THESE NEW GUN LAWS.

THEE SUPPORTS THE NEW ABORTION PROTECTIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSES, PRESUMABLY, SHE'S GOING TO SIGN THEM.

WE WILL WAIT TO SEE WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

DOES THAT GIVE HER A BOOST?

10 >> OH, YEAH, I THINK.

ABSOLUTELY, DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS, THESE ARE BIG ISSUES AND PROBABLY EVEN MORE THAN MODERATES OR REPUBLICANS MIGHT BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION AND OTHER ISSUES LIKE THAT AND ARE DEFINITELY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF ABORTION RIGHTS AND GUN CONTROL.

YEAH, DEFINITELY GIVES HER A BOOST.

SHE'S BEEN PRETTY TEFLON ALL ALONG, THOUGH.

>> YEAH.

>> NOBODY'S TALKING ABOUT THE CORRUPT EX-LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BRIAN BENJAMIN THAT SHE CHOSE.

WE NEVER HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM DEAL THAT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL AND SUCH A HORROR THAT SHE AGREED TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY.

SHE'S PRETTY WELL POSITIONED GOING INTO THIS PRIMARY.

>> I THINK SO, TOO.

I THINK SHE HIT A ROAD BUMP IN THE BUDGET WHEN SHE INTRODUCED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHANGES AT THE LAST MINUTE AND THE BILLS STADIUM.

I THINK SHE HAD A FEW ROUGH WEEKS GETTING SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS ABOUT HER GOVERNING STYLE.

BUT THEN IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, REALLY, THAT'S ALL KIND OF FADED AWAY.

I THINK PART OF THAT IS THE NATIONAL ISSUES THAT HAVE COME FORWARD THAT SHE'S REALLY COME OUT STRONG ON THIS.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE SHOOTING IN BUFFALO.

SHE WAS THERE AND THEN SHE HAD PRESS CONFERENCES AND REALLY 11 POWERFUL WORDS IN THAT INITIAL PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE SHE ANNOUNCED HER SUPPORT FOR STRICTER GUN LAWS WHERE SHE WAS HOLDING UP THINGS LIKE BULLETS AND MAGAZINES AND SHOWING AN UNDERSTANDING.

>> AND IT WAS REAL.

IT CAME FROM THE HEART, WHAT A HORRIBLE THING TO HAPPEN IN YOUR HOMETOWN.

IT WASN'T JUST-- YOU COULD TELL THAT SHE WAS DEFINITELY NOT POSTURING ABOUT THIS.

>> THE WINS ARE CLEAR FOR PRIMARY-- FOR BOTH PARTIES REALLY BECAUSE YOU GO TO THE BASE.

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS HELPING THE DEMOCRATIC BASE BECAUSE WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DO IS NOT JUST APPEAL TO THE LEFT-LEANING MEMBERS, THEY HAVE TO GET THEM OUT TO VOTE.

THIS WILL GET THEM OUT TO VOTE FOR THE PRIMARY.

THE CONCERN IS GOING TO BE HOW DO THESE PLAY AFTER REPUBLICANS SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON TV ADS IN THE FALL?

BECAUSE THERE'S A CONCERN OUT THERE THAT GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND THE LEGISLATURE, PARTICULARLY, IS GOING TOO FAR TO THE LEFT AND THAT'S AN ARGUMENT REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN MAKING.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING INTO THIS YEAR THINKING IT WAS GOING TO BE A REPUBLICAN WAVE IN NOVEMBER.

DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOT NOW BECAUSE AFTER THE GUN-- AFTER THE MASS SHOOTINGS, AFTER THE WINS IN ABORTION AND THE THREAT TO 12 ABORTION RIGHTS, THAT MAY CHANGE.

THE PRIMARIES, SHE'S WELL POSITIONED, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE THINKING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER.

>> YEAH.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT, TOO.

I MEAN, REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE PROBABLY CORRECT, THAT THIS IS THEIR BEST CHANCE IN 20 YEARS TO TAKE THE GOVERNORSHIP AND MAYBE OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICES WITH LEE ZELDIN PRESUMABLY AS THE NOMINEE.

WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS IN A FEW WEEKS IN THE PRIMARY.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, KAREN?

>> ALSO, PRESIDENT BIDEN, HE JUST-- EVEN AMONG PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT HIM, THEY'RE JUST NOT EXCITED ABOUT HIM >> .

THEY'RE NOT ENERGIZED.

>> HE DOESN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF POWER THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD OR THE FORMER POLARIZING POWER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I THINK THAT'S PART OF IT THAT MIGHT DEPRESS DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT AND YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HOCHUL, SHE'S TEFLON BUT SHE'S ALSO NOT POLARIZING.

I THINK MANY PEOPLE THINK, OKAY, SHE'S OKAY.

IT'S EXCITING TO HAVE A WOMAN GOVERNOR.

YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE SO UPSET THAT I'M GOING TO VOTE EITHER FOR HER OR AGAINST HER.

THAT COULD HURT HER TOO, IF YOU THINK 13 ABOUT IT.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> ESPECIALLY IF THE REPUBLICANS CAN MAKE THE CASE THAT SHE'S ALL FRIENDLY WITH JOE BIDEN.

>> YEAH.

>> SHE DOES HAVE A TERRIFIC DEMEANOR FOR POLITICS.

IT'S ALMOST AN AWE SHUCKS KIND OF LOOK, YOU KNOW.

SHE HAS THAT UPSTATE BEARING AND STUFF, BUT SHE IS A SMART AND TRUE POLITICIAN.

>> YES.

>> AND THOSE COMBINATIONS CAN WORK REALLY WELL.

WE SAW THAT, CLINTON.

IT WORKED FOR BILL CLINTON AND OTHERS WHO CAN MESH THOSE TALENTS.

>> SHE'S REALLY BEEN ABLE TO, I THINK IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS ESPECIALLY.

LET ME TAKE IT BACK TO AUGUST.

WHEN SHE STARTED IN AUGUST, I THINK SHE DID HAVE SOME TROUBLE GETTING STARTED WITH SPEAKING TO CROWDS.

I THINK SHE DID HAVE SOME TROUBLE THERE, KIND OF FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY TO GIVE CONFIDENCE TO PEOPLE.

IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE REALLY SEEN THAT CHANGE AND ESPECIALLY-- I'LL BRING IT UP AGAIN, HER PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK CITY AFTER THE BUFFALO SHOOTING.

IT WAS REALLY POWERFUL TO HEAR HER GO THROUGH STEP BY STEP EVERYTHING AND JUST HER PACING.

14 IT SEEMED TO BE REALLY APPEALING TO PEOPLE.

I THINK IN THIS MOMENT, A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT ACTION ON SOME LEVEL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR EVERYBODY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY GUN CONTROL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY MENTAL HEALTH AS WE HEARD FROM REPUBLICAN CHAIR NICK LANGWORTHY BUT ALSO GOING INTO THE FALL, I HAVE TO WONDER HOW CRIMINAL JUSTICE CHANGES ARE GOING TO PLAY INTO THE ELECTION, IF THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY INTO IT AT ALL.

I MEAN, THEY DID CHANGE BAIL REFORM THIS YEAR AGAIN.

>> YEAH.

>> KAREN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DOES THAT FOLLOW HER INTO NOVEMBER?

>> IT DEPENDS.

IF THEY KEEP HAVING THE GUN VIOLENCE, THE CRIME SPIKE, THAT'S CERTAINLY AN ISSUE FOR REPUBLICANS THAT THEY CAN BRING UP.

SO IT'S HARD TO TELL.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING NOW-- WHAT IS IT?

IT'S JUNE, RIGHT?

[LAUGHTER] SO THE ELECTION IS-- IT'S ALMOST LIKE HALF A YEAR AWAY.

SO IT COULD BE LIKE ANYTHING BY THEN.

WE JUST SEE-- ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT, WE'VE SEEN THINGS BLOW UP.

I MEAN, LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD HAVE SAID, WHEN ANDREW CUOMO GOES FOR HIS FOURTH TERM.

>> YEAH.

15 >> SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO PREDICT.

I MEAN, IF THE GENERAL ELECTION WERE IN A MONTH, PROBABLY SHE WOULD WIN BUT A LOT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN, AND WE'LL SEE HOW MUCH THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, GAS PRICES.

I KNOW THEY GOT RID OF-- TEMPORARILY GOT RID OF THE STATE GAS TAX.

I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE PUMPS.

I DON'T THINK IT'S MADE A DIFFERENCE YET.

I THINK THERE'S JUST A LOT OF OTHER STUFF.

IT'S KIND OF AN UNCERTAIN WORLD RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

YOU HAVE TO WONDER HOW THESE NATIONAL ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD-- NOT TO PLAY ON WORDS, DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE GASOLINE PRICES ARE GOING TO PLAY INTO ALL OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, AS WE GO FORWARD, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT A LOT OF THEIR LIVES ARE CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN A LOT OF SPACES, BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, THE STATE GOVERNMENT DOES A LOT OF THIS IN TERMS OF STATE INCOME TAX, PROPERTY TAXES AND ALL OF THAT WE'RE OUT OF TIME, UNFORTUNATELY.

WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS ALL DAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THE ASSEMBLY DOES THIS AFTERNOON.

KAREN DeWITT FROM NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC RADIO.

MIKE GORMLEY FROM NEWSDAY.

THANK YOU BOTH.

STAYING NOW AT THE STATE CAPITOL WITH A NEW EDITION 16 OF "ON THE BILL," WHERE WE TELL YOU ABOUT A NEW BILL THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD ABOUT OTHERWISE.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A-4321.

IT'S CALLED SOMETHING DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU STAND ON THE BILL.

SUPPORTERS CALL IT MEDICAL AID IN DYING.

OPPONENTS CALL IT PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE.

THE BILL WOULD ALLOW TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE TO RECEIVE MEDICATION FROM A DOCTOR THAT WOULD END THEIR LIFE.

THE PATIENT WOULD THEN DECIDE WHEN THEY WOULD USE IT, IF AT ALL.

BUT SUPPORTERS SAY THAT'S A CHOICE THAT SHOULD BE THEIRS TO MAKE.

STACEY GIBSON LOST HER HUSBAND TO A TERMINAL DISEASE AND SAID WITHOUT THAT OPTION, HE SUFFERED.

>> SO HIS ONLY CHOICE TO END HIS SUFFERING WAS TO VOLUNTARILY STOP EATING AND DRINKING.

IT TOOK HIM 12 DAYS TO DIE, WHICH I HAVE TO TELL YOU IS KNOT THAT WE IN NEW YORK SHOULD ALLOW ANYBODY TO GO THROUGH.

>> OPPONENTS OF THE BILL ARE AGAINST IT FOR MORAL REASON ANDS ALSO HAVE CONCERNS OVER ABUSE.

THAT DEBATE WILL CONTINUE NEXT YEAR WHEN LAWMAKERS RETURN TO ALBANY.

IN THE MEANTIME, AN UPDATE ON NEW YORK'S ROLLOUT OF LEGAL MARIJUANA SALES.

RETAIL SALES WON'T START UNTIL LATE THEY'RE YEAR BUT THE ACTUAL CANNABIS PRODUCT IS BEING GROWN RIGHT NOW, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF 17 QUESTIONS THAT COME WITH THAT.

SO FOR MORE ON THAT I SPOKE WITH CHRIS ALEXANDER, WHO LEADS THE STATE OPTION NEW OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] CHRIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE, ANYTIME.

SO I WILL START WITH A QUESTION THAT'S PROBABLY ON EVERYONE'S MINDS THAT THEY WANT ME TO ASK.

WHEN WILL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES START IN NEW YORK?

>> WELL, THANKFULLY, THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR AND THROUGH THE SEEDING OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE, WE'RE ON TRACK TO HAVE ADULT USE SALES IN THE STATE BEFORE THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.

SO THAT WILL BE LATE FALL WHEN WE'LL SEE SUPPLIES START TO LINE THE SHELVES OF DISPENSARIES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT OUT BY THE STATE.

>> WHERE ARE WE IN THAT PROCESS NOW?

ARE PEOPLE ACTIVELY GROWING RIGHT NOW?

WHAT PHASE ARE WE IN?

>> WELL, THE OFFICE-- THE BOARD HAS LICENSED 52 CONDITIONAL CULTIVATORS.

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY PARTICIPATED IN THE STATE'S HEMP PROGRAM, ALL SMALL FARMERS WHO ARE REALLY GROWING GREAT PRODUCT FOR THE STATE, HAVE BEEN 18 LICENSED CONDITIONALLY TO GROW ADULT USE CANNABIS.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY'VE BEGUN.

OUR OFFICE IS HARD AT WORK DRAFTING REGULATIONS FOR EVERY BIT OF THIS PROGRAM, FROM THE CULTIVATION SIDE DOWN TO THE DISPENSARY AND THE WHOLE SUPPLY CHAIN INCLUDED.

THAT'S WHERE OUR FOCUS IS FOCUSED ON CONTINUING TO STAFF UP AND BUILD OUT THE NECESSARY CAPABILITIES TO CONTINUE TO OVERSEE THE FULL INDUSTRY.

>> SO WHEN SALES DO START, WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT TO SEE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

I KNOW THAT SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE OPTED OUT OF MARIJUANA RETAIL SALES.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE EXPECT IN TERMS OF DENSITY OF STOREFRONTS?

WHAT WOULD WE BE SEEING WHEN THOSE SALES START?

>> YOU KNOW, PART OF THE BENEFIT-- I ALWAYS SAY PART OF THE BENEFIT OF NOT GOING FIRST IS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO LEARN LESSONS FROM OTHER STATES, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT LICENSES, PARTICULARLY DISPENSARY LICENSES IN WAVES, TO ALLOW FOR THE STATE AND THE MARKET TO ADJUST, AND SO THERE'S NO CAP ON DISPENSARY LICENSES IN THE STATE, ABOUT YOU WE KNOW THAT THE MARKET WILL KIND OF STABILIZE AFTER SOME TIME, AND SO WE'LL BE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THERE'S NOT OVERCONCENTRATION OF DISPENSARIES AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME FOLK DOES HAVE 19 ACCESS TO HIGHLY REGULATED, HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS, AND SO YOU'LL SEE DISPENSARIES START TO COME ONLINE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOPEFULLY, WE HAVE REAL ACCESS FOR OUR PATIENTS AND FOR CONSUMERS ACROSS THE BOARD AS WE GROW AND MATURE THIS INDUSTRY IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> NOW AS YOU MENTIONED, THE FIRST LICENSES WILL GO TO PEOPLE WITH PAST CANNABIS RELATED CONVICTIONS, AND THAT'S CAUSED A CONTROVERSY FOR SOME PEOPLE.

YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHY THE STATE WANTED TO GO THAT ROUTE?

WHY SHOULD THESE LICENSES GO TO THESE PEOPLE FIRST?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

REALLY, IT'S PART OF THE CANNABIS LAW.

IT'S PART OF WHAT'S DEMANDED OF OUR OFFICE AND REQUIRED AS A COMPONENT OF THE MRTA, THE LAW THAT ENDED PROHIBITION IN THE STATE.

IT COMES WITH IT THE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PROHIBITION AND ITS ENFORCEMENT WAS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, DISPROPORTIONATELY DONE IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND SO PART OF WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THAT LAW IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED HAVE A MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE.

SO I DO WANT TO CORRECT THE RECORD AND MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WHO HAVE THE CONVICTIONS ARE INCLUDED AS ONE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA POINT FOR THIS INITIAL OPPORTUNITY BUT THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT IS THAT FOLKS HAVE EXPERIENCED OWNING AND OPERATING A 20 BUSINESS, AND SO WHAT WE THINK WE'LL FIND IS NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN MOST IMPACTED AT THE FRONT OF THE LINE BUT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED AND STILL HAVE GONE ON TO BUILD AND RUN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

THESE FOLKS ARE SUCCESSFUL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO BEGAN THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY JUST HAPPENED TO BE SWEPT UP IN THE WAVE OF ENFORCEMENT RELATED TO CANNABIS PROHIBITION.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

EQUITY WAS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS LAW.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER WAYS THE STATE IS TRYING TO ENSURE EQUITY IN TERMS OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AS YOU MOVE FORWARD?

>> THAT'S REALLY A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK-- I LOVE TO POINT RIGHT BACK TO OUR FARMERS.

YOU KNOW, OUR FARMERS, DISTRESSED FARMERS ARE PART OF OUR EQUITY DEFINITION AS FOLKS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT AND LEFT BEHIND BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING A STRONG INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THEY'RE INCLUDED AND ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.

SO THE ACTUAL CONDITIONAL CULTIVATION LICENSES THAT WE HAVE HANDED OUT 52 OF AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE HANDING OUT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE REALLY CAPTURES THAT COMPONENT OF OUR EQUITY DEFINITION TO ENSURE THAT SMALL FARMERS HAVE A MEANINGFUL PLACE TO PARTICIPATE HERE.

ALSO 21 INCLUDED IN THAT EQUITY DEFINITION ARE SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS, BEYOND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED, SERVICE DISABLED VETERANS WHO WILL ALSO BE TRYING TO FIND WAYS, CREATIVE WAYS TO ENSURE AND HAVE A MEANINGFUL WAY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INDUSTRY THAT WE'RE BUILDING.

>> NOW THERE'S ONE OTHER CONCERN THAT WAS BROUGHT UP AS WE WERE DEBATING THIS LEGISLATION BEFORE IT PASSED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND LEADING UP TO IT IS THIS CONCERN ABOUT IMPAIRED DRIVERS, IMPAIR ACED BY CANNABIS.

PEOPLE HAVE USED CANNABIS AND DECIDED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL.

SO FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE WORRIED ABOUT THAT, IS THE STATE TAKING ANY ADDITIONAL STEPS TO ENSURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OR THAT POLICE OFFICERS CAN IDENTIFY WHEN SOMEBODY IS INTOXICATED BY CANNABIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, AND THANKS FOR RAISING THAT.

I MEAN, WE'VE LAUNCHED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO OUR CANNABIS CONVERSATION PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, AND WHAT THAT REALLY IS FOCUSED ON IS MAKING SURE FOLKS UNDERSTAND BASICALLY WHAT WE DID WHEN WE ENDED PROHIBITION, FOLKS DRIVING ACROSS THE STATE HAVE PROBABLY NOTICED THE BILLBOARDS LETTING YOU KNOW NOT TO DRIVE HIGH OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CANNABIS.

THIS EDUCATIONAL APPROACH IS ONE THAT WE'VE LEARNED AND REALLY LEANED FROM THE 22 GOVERNOR'S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR CLOSEST PARTNERS HERE IN MAINTAINING ROAD SAFETY IN THE STATE AND THEY EMPHASIZED HOW IMPORTANT EDUCATION IS IN MAKING SURE WE KEEP DRIVERS FROM DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE ON OUR ROADS.

WE HAVE ALREADY INVESTED RESOURCES AS A STATE IN EXPANDING THE DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT PROGRAM AND THE "A" RIDE PROGRAMS.

THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT TRAIN OFFICERS TO BETTER DETECT SUBSTANCES IN THE SYSTEM OF DRIVERS.

WE HAVE INVESTED SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES AND EXPANDED THOSE PROGRAMS FOR THE STATE, BUT ALSO TAKING A STRONG EDUCATIONAL APPROACH AND FOLKS CAN JOIN THE CANNABIS CONVERSATION AT CANNABIS.NY.GOV BUT I'M SURE THEY'RE SEEING THE ADS ON THEIR TVs AS WELL AS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE BILLBOARDS ON THE HIGHWAYS AND LETTING THEM KNOW IF THEY FEEL DIFFERENT, THEY WILL DRIVE DIFFERENT.

WE'RE DOING A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH, OF EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.

>> NOW ONE LAST QUESTION FOR YOU FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING CANNABIS WHEN IT IS AT RETAIL SHOPS.

WE KNOW IN NEARBY STATES AND OTHER STATES WHO HAVE LEGALIZED THE DRUG, THERE ARE CAPS ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN ACTUALLY BUY AT THE STORE, LIKE IN MASSACHUSETTS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN ONLY BUY 500 23 MILLIGRAMS OF EDIBLE CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

WE AT THE PHASE NOW WHERE WE'RE SETTING THOSE REGULATIONS, OR IS THAT STILL TO COME?

>> WE ARE AT THE PHASE WHERE WE'RE SETTING THOSE REGULATIONS AND NOT JUST THE LIMITATIONS, BUT IN THE WAY THAT THE FORM, THE MANNER, THE PACKAGING, THE LABELING, THE WAY THAT THESE PRODUCTS ARE TRANSITIONING HANDS FROM A RETAIL OPERATION TO THE CONSUMER.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS FOR LEGALIZING CANNABIS WAS CREATED A BETTER REGULATED PRODUCT, IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE CHOOSING TO PUT CANNABIS IN THEIR BODIES HAVE A BETTER PRODUCT THAT THEY'RE USING, AND SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE REALLY DEEP IN IT NOW AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

YOU CAN TELL BY THE SCRUFF.

[LAUGHTER] YOU KNOW, OF ANALYZING WHAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL IN OTHER STATES TO CREATE A BETTER MARKET AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT'S GONNA BE MOST USEFUL FOR NEW YORKERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CONSUMING CANNABIS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CHRIS ALEXANDER FROM THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THIS INFORMATION.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> OF COURSE, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

[ THEME MUSIC ] 24 >> AND THE STATE IS NOW WORKING ON HOW CANNABIS PRODUCTS WILL BE PACKAGED, MARKETED AND TESTED.

MORE ON THAT SOON.

BUT WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >>Announcer: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.