Statement from Adam Goers, President of New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association

“Governor Cuomo’s critical focus on the vaping industry should be applauded. There have been far too many case reports of health issues associated with vaping products, whether with nicotine or cannabis. The members of the Medical Cannabis industry’s mandate is to produce the best, the safest and the most reliable product possible for patients who are in desperate need of relief.”

“New York has set high standards, and if our products don’t meet those standards, they don’t reach our shelves. It is that simple. We have thousands of vulnerable patients in our care, and the explosion of illicit, unreliable, untested, and potentially unsafe products is a public health crisis that the Governor is right to address.”

“It is important to remember vaping technology, including those associated with cannabis, have been widely used over the past decade or two, so we believe the state public health authorities will ultimately conclude that these recent, unfortunate respiratory complications are not the result of vaping alone, or even vaping THC. Instead, they appear to be the result of unregulated materials introduced into untested illicit market products.”

“The MCIA has long supported a smart, wellness-based approach to adult-use legalization in New York and are encouraged Governor Cuomo continues to engage with other leaders to continue a constructive conversation on safety, social justice and economic opportunity. We stand ready to play a leadership role to help shape that policy.”