First hour: Understanding cannabis law in NYS
Second hour: Assemblymember Demond Meeks on proposed gun control legislation; RCSD students on reopening schoolsCITY Magazine reporter Gino Fanelli recently paid $65 for a T-shirt at a local CBD store. An eighth of an ounce of marijuana came as a complementary "gift" with the purchase. As Fanelli reports, it's one way retailers are working around state law, which prevents retail sales of the plant. The law does allow adults to transfer or give up to three ounces of marijuana to each other without compensation. This hour, we examine cannabis law and the future of the recreational market with our guests:
- Gino Fanelli, reporter for CITY Magazine
- Senator Jeremy Cooney (D, WF), District 56
- Jason Klimek, attorney and co-leader of the Cannabis Team at Barclay Damon
- Steve VanDeWalle, founder of Nesstiva; executive writer and co-host of the Cannabis Cum Laude podcast; and co-founder of Vandy's, an emerging craft cannabis brand in Rochester
Then in the first part of our second hour, a number of state lawmakers are pushing for stronger gun control laws. At the end of the session in June, Democrats rallied in favor of a new legislative package. It includes laws that would require people seeking to purchase a gun to clear a mental health evaluation and pass a drug test, with both being certified by a doctor. A second law would require potential gun owners to take a five-hour gun safety course, complete a live firing test, apply for a hunting license, and show proof that they have a safe storage depository for the firearm. Republicans are critical of the bills. Many prefer stronger enforcement of the state's current laws on illegal gun ownership. Assemblymember Demond Meeks sponsors the latter bill. He joins us to discuss gun safety and the package of bills he hopes will become state law. Our guest:
- Assemblymember Demond Meeks (D), District 137
Then, we talk to students about the disparities between Rochester City School District and suburban schools during the pandemic. Our guest:
- Sarah Adams, sophomore at East High School
- Max-Yamil Cabezudo-Brown, former youth organizer at Teen Empowerment, and senior at Allendale Columbia School
- Mercedes Phelan, Western New York and Central New York regional director for Citizen Action of New York, and parent in the Rochester City School District
