1 [ THEME MUSIC ] >> ON THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW," SUMMER'S HERE AND THE TIME IS RIGHT TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS, BUT SOME ACTIVITIES, LIKE BOATING, CAN UNWITTINGLY SPREAD INVASIVE SPECIES.

WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

AND CANNABIS IS COMING.

WE TALK TO ALLAN GANDELMAN ABOUT GROWING NEW YORK'S FIRST LEGAL BATCHES OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, AND WE'LL DIG INTO THIS WEEK'S NEWS WITH GRACE ASHFORD OF THE NEW YORK "TIME"S AND ZACH WILLIAMS OF THE "NEW YORK POST".

I'M CASEY SEILER AND THIS IS "NEW YORK NOW."

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

I'M CASEY SEILER, EDITOR OF THE TIMES UNION IN FOR DAN CLARK.

SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING AND THAT MEANS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL BE HEADING OUT TO THE ADIRONDACKS AND ENJOYING LAKES AND WATERWAYS ACROSS THE STATE, BUT ALL OF THAT TRAVEL AND FUN CAN INCREASE THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES, THREATENING THE HEALTH OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WE ALL ENJOY.

AS ANYONE WHO HAS EVER STEPPED ON A ZEBRA MUSCLE CAN TELL YOU, ONCE INVASIVE SPECIES TAKE HOLD THEY ARE EXCEPTIONAL HARD TO COMBAT.

NEW YORK STATE IS USING ALL 2 THE TOOLS IT CAN TO REDUCE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY PREVENT THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES, BUT WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY.

"NEW YORK NOW"'S THOMAS CONNALLY HAS THIS REPORT.

TAKE A LOOK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMICS OF INVASE OF SPECIES, IT ALMOST ALWAYS HITS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

THAT'S WHERE THE COSTS ARE THE HIGHEST.

SO IN MANY WAYS, WE'RE PAYING FOR INVASIVE SPECIES, AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE OUR WILDLIFE HABITAT AND OUR HUMAN ENVIRONMENT COME TOGETHER.

>>Reporter: BY THE TIME THE GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICES INVASIVE SPECIES IN THEIR OWN BACKYARDS, IT BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ERADICATE THEM.

>> SPONGY MOTHS, WHICH WERE FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE GYPSY MOTH, REALLY BRING INVASIVE SPECIES HOME TO PEOPLE.

THEY'RE AN INVASIVE INSECT THAT IS CYCLICAL.

SO WE HAVEN'T HAD A SERIOUS INFESTATION IN OVER 20 YEARS.

HOWEVER, WHEN THEY DO COME, THEY CERTAINLY IMPACT YOUR ENVIRONMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE CRAWLING ALL OVER THE TREES AND THEY'RE DROPPING THEIR FECAL MATTER, OR FRASS, ALSO AS THEY'RE CHEWING THE LEAVES OF YOUR TREES.

THEY'LL ALSO FIRST START EATING ON OUR OAK TREES, AND THAT CAN BE A PROBLEM, BUT MOST OF OUR OAK TREES CAN GROW LEAVES BACK.

SO THEY CAN WITHSTAND A YEAR 3 OR TWO OF HAVING A GYPSY MOTH INFESTATION.

HOWEVER, OUR CONIFERS OR THINGS LIKE OUR PINES AND HEMLOCKS, THEY DON'T RELIEF AS QUICKLY.

SO LAST YEAR WHEN THE HEAVY INFESTATION OF SPONGY MOTH CAME TO THE LAKE GEORGE REGION, IT ACTUALLY DID KILL OFF SOME OF OUR PINE TREES AND OUR HEMLOCK TREES.

THAT HAS IMPACTS FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO NEED TO POTENTIALLY REMOVE THOSE TREES.

IT IMPACTS OUR TIMBER INDUSTRY AND OUR WILDLIFE HABITAT.

>> THIS YEAR BY MY HOUSE IN WARRENSBURG, THEY ARE HORRENDOUS.

THEY START OUT AS SMALL, LITTLE CATERPILLARS.

SO AND THEN THEY GROW INTO REALLY BIG CATERPILLARS.

KIND OF LIKE THE ONES YOU SEE WHEN THEY TURN INTO BUTTERFLIES, BUT THEY'RE NOTHING LIKE BUTTERFLIES AND THEIR POOP IS LIKE BLACK LITTLE PELLETS AND IT'S ALL OVER.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY BE OUT THERE AND YOU FEEL IT LAND IN YOUR HAIR.

SO YOU CAN'T-- I CAN'T SIT OUTSIDE AT ALL.

FOR INSTANCE TODAY, I HAVE TO MOW MY LAWN DESPERATELY BUT I'M GOING TO BE DRESSED FROM HEAD TO TOE SWEAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANY OF THOSE THINGS NEAR ME.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENT SPECIES THAT MIGHT IMPACT OUR FORESTS.

SOME THAT MIGHT IMPACT AGRICULTURE.

SOME THAT MIGHT JUST BE A NUISANCE AND YOU KNOW, THAT PEOPLE MIGHT REALLY SEE IN THAT WAY.

SPONGY MOTH IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT WE 4 REALLY SEE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE STEPPING ON THEM AND YOU CAN REALLY SEE WHAT A NUISANCE IT IS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO IT HAS THAT LEVEL OF DIRECT IMPACT.

>> IN NEW YORK, WE'RE SUPER LUCKY WE HAVE THESE AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL LAKES LIKE HERE RIGHT ON LAKE GEORGE.

WE HAVE OVER 7,800 LAKES.

WE HAVE OVER 70,000 MILES OF STREAMS IN HERE AND THEY PROVIDE SO MANY GREAT BENEFITS, DRINKING WATER, RECREATION, AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IS ONE OF OUR THREE LARGEST THREATS TO THOSE HABITATS, AND THEY CAN CAUSE ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC HARM.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO HELP PROTECT THESE SPECIAL PLACES IN NEW YORK.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IS THAT OUR CANALS, THEY ARE SUPERHIGHWAYS FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.

THEY ARTIFICIALLY CONNECT WATERSHEDS THAT WERE NOT CONNECTED.

SO THAT ALLOWS FOR PLANTS AND ORGANISMS TO MOVE FROM ONE WATERSHED TO ANOTHER WATERSHED.

HUMANS ARE THE PROBLEM.

WE'RE THE CAUSE OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES BECAUSE WE ARE MOVING THEM FROM LAKE TO LAKE OR WATERSHED TO WATERSHED.

>> I THINK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF THE MOBILITY OF THE POPULATION.

WE'RE JUST SO 5 MOBILE, RIGHT?

SO YOU CAN LAUNCH YOUR BOAT OVER IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER IF THE MORNING AND IT MIGHT HAVE HYDRILLA IN THE RIVER AND THEN IN THE AFTERNOON, YOU CAN TAKE THAT SAME BOAT WITH JUST A LITTLE FRAGMENT OF HYDRILLA HANGING OFF THE MOTIER AND LAUNCH IT IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN AND INADVERTENTLY SPREAD THAT SPECIES.

YOU CAN HAVE YOUR CAMPING TRAILER PARKED DOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA, WHICH IS A HOT SPOT FOR THE SPOTTED LANTERN FLY, AND THEN DRIVE IT UP INTO ESSEX COUNTY WHERE OUR BEAUTIFUL ORCHARDS IN THE ADIRONDACKS ARE AND INADVERTENTLY HAVE CARRIED THAT SPECIES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, LAKE GEORGE IS ONE OF OUR MORE INVADED LAKES IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION.

IT HAS 6 OF THE 16 SPECIES THAT THE PROGRAM TRACKS.

THESE ARE THINGS LIKE ASIAN, CLAM, EURASIAN WATERFMILFOIL, THEY EVEN HAD ZEBRA MUSSELS IN HERE.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING OR LEAVING FROM LAKE GEORGE THAT THEY PRACTICE CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE NEW INVASIVE SPECIES COMING HERE AND WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO SPREAD THE INVASIVE SPECIES FROM LAKE GEORGE TO OTHER PLACES.

>>Reporter: NOT ONLY IS NEW YORK ENCOURAGING BOATERS TO PREVENT THE TRANSFER OF AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES, THEY'RE REQUIRING IT.

ON JUNE 8th, 2022, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AMENDED 6 ITS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW REQUIRING BOATERS IN THE ADIRONDACKS TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATION THAT THEY HAVE CLEANED, DRAINED, AND DRIED THEIR BOAT EVERY TIME THEY ENTER A WATERWAY.

>> WE INSPECTED ALMOST A QUARTER MILLION BOATS IN THIS STATE FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.

WE INTERCEPTED MORE THAN 14,000 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES THIS YEAR WITH OUR BOAT PROGRAM REALLY KICKING INTO GEAR FOR THIS SUMMER.

WE LOOKED AT MORE THAN 20,000 BOATS IN JUST ONE WEEK LAST WEEK.

SO THAT'S A REALLY CRITICAL COMPONENT TO INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT.

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

LIKE AROUND HERE, EVERYBODY HAS TO DO A TICK CHECK, RIGHT?

YOU'VE BEEN OUTSIDE.

YOU COME IN.

YOU DO A TICK CHECK.

IT'S SIMILAR.

YOU COME BACK FROM A HIKE, CLEAN YOUR BOATS.

COME BACK FROM A PADDLE, CLEAN YOUR BOAT.

>> OUR FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPERILLED ECOSYSTEMS ON THE PLANET.

GREATER THAN 80% OF PLANT AND ANIMAL POPULATIONS HAS DECREASED SINCE 1970.

WE'VE ALSO LOST OVER 30% OF THE HABITAT.

SO THESE ARE CRITICAL PLACES THAT PROVIDE SO MANY BENEFITS FOR CLEAN WATER, DRINKING WATER, FOR CARBON STORAGE, FOR BIO-DIVERSITY, AND THEY'RE REALLY IMPACTED AND ONE OF THE THREE LARGEST THREATS TO OUR FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS 7 ARE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES.

SO THESE ARE REALLY SPECIAL PLACES AND WE NEED TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO HELP PROTECT THEM.

>> NEW YORK STATE IS SO FORTUNATE THAT NEW YORK INVESTS IN INVASIVE SPECIES AND HAS A SYSTEM OF PARTNERSHIPS FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

THESE PARTNERSHIPS, WE CALL THEM PRISMS FOR SHORT, THERE ARE EIGHT OF THEM IN NEW YORK STATE THAT ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE STATE'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND AND ORGANIZED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

>> THE BOATER PARTICIPATES AND KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES, THEY CAN RECOGNIZE SITUATIONS IN THEIR BACKYARD.

THEY CAN ADJUST THEIR BEHAVIOR.

BECAUSE THE STATE CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE.

WE ADDRESS THINGS THAT WE CAN WITHIN OUR ABILITY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A TOTAL COMMUNITY EFFORT TO TRY AND ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> NEW YORK STATE HAS A GREAT FRAMEWORK IN PLACE FOR INVASIVE SPECIES, AND THERE ARE A FEW PLACES WHERE THAT CAN BE ENHANCED.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT IN NEW YORK STATE, THERE IS A LIST, FOR INSTANCE, A LAW THAT PROHIBITS THE SALE OF CERTAIN INVASIVE PLANTS OR REGULATES THEM.

THAT LIST IS CREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND IT HASN'T BEEN UPDATED IN A NUMBER OF 8 YEARS, AND IT'S OUT OF DATE SCIENTIFICALLY ANYWAY.

IT'S ALSO THE PRODUCT OF COMPROMISE, WHICH IS WHAT ALL LEGISLATION IS.

SO IT MAY BE THE ORNAMENTAL TRADE PLANT FOLKS TALKING WITH THE INVASIVE SPECIES FOLKS AND TRYING TO COMPROMISE ON THAT, AND WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO BRING MORE SCIENCE INTO OUR LEGISLATIVE DECISION MAKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS LIKE PROHIBITED PLANTS ARE BASED ON SCIENCE.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> FOR MORE INFORMATION, NEW YORK STATE'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY CALLED, "UNINVITED: THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES".

YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO WATCH THAT COMPLETE PROGRAM AT NYNOW.ORG.

AND NOW, I'M HAPPY TO BE JOINED AT THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE FOR A DISCUSSION OF MORE OF THIS WEEK'S NEWS BY GRACE ASHFORD OF THE NEW YORK "TIME"S AND ZACH WILLIAMS FROM THE "NEW YORK POST".

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> SO AT LAST, AFTER TWO MONTHS OF WAITING, WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR AN AFTER-ACTION REPORT ON THE STATE'S REACTION TO COVID-19.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR.

WHAT DOES THE RFP KIND OF TELL US ABOUT WHAT THE 9 SCOPE OF THAT WORK BY AN OUTSIDE PRIVATE CONSULTANT IS GOING TO BE AND WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR IT TO BE SUBSTANTIAL AND, YOU KNOW, TAKEN WELL WHEN IT COMES OUT?

>> SO THE SCOPE IS PRETTY WIDE-RANGING.

IT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE STATE'S HANDLING OF PATIENTS INTO CONGREGANT SETTINGS WHICH HAS BEEN VERY, VERY BIG AND CONTESTED.

IT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SOME PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS.

IT'S GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE WAY THE STATE MADE DECISIONS ABOUT EDUCATION, WHEN TO OPEN SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, DOWN TO NURSERY SCHOOLS.

I THINK THE KEY QUESTION THAT YOU'RE SORT OF ZEROING IN ON IS, YOU KNOW, WILL THIS BE SUBSTANTIAL?

WILL THIS BE INDEPENDENT?

IT IS BEING HANDLED, YOU KNOW, BY THE EXECUTIVE AND THEN I BELIEVE JACQUIE BRAY OVER THE DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, WHO ACTUALLY WROTE A GOOD DEAL OF THE CITY'S COVID RESPONSE, IS GOING TO BE OVERSEEING IT.

ONE THING I THOUGHT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING IS THAT THEY ARE ELIMINATING FROM CONSIDERATION ANYONE WHO HAS DONE WORK WITH THE STATE DURING THIS COVID PROCESS, WHICH IS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> INCLUDING LIKE HEAVY HITTERS LIKE McKINSEY & COMPANY WHICH IS PROBLEMATIC IN ALL SORTS OF WAYS.

THEY, OF COURSE, WORKED ON THE 10 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S NURSING HOME REPORT THAT CAME OUT IN JULY OF 2020 AND WAS, YOU KNOW, HUGELY CONTROVERSIAL.

SO THEY ARE RIGHT OUT OF THAT WORK.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I WOULD JUST ADD THAT A KEY THING IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS INVESTIGATION IS THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

NOW IF THIS RFP IS FOR ONE-YEAR INVESTIGATION, IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT WE GOT TO SAY WILL KATHY HOCHUL GET RE-ELECTED AND THIS INVESTIGATION WILL CONTINUE AS SHE DESIGNED IT, OR MIGHT LEE ZELDIN STOP THIS INVESTIGATION, START HIS OWN?

HE HAS VOWED TO HAVE HIS OWN INVESTIGATION AND HE SAYS HE MIGHT TAKE OR LEAVE WHATEVER HOCHUL MIGHT GET GOING IF HE'S LUCKY MUFF TO WIN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, OF COURSE.

>> YEAH.

WELL, THE BIG QUESTION IS WHO IS GOING TO GET SELECTED TO DO IT?

WHO ARE THE INVESTIGATORS GOING TO BE?

WILL THE EXECUTIVE CHAMBER BE ABLE TO KIND OF KEEP ITS MITTS OFF THE FINAL WORK PRODUCT?

SO WE WANT TO TURN TO ZACH, A STORY THAT YOU PRINTED IN "THE POST" LOOKING AT KATHY HOCHUL'S FLIGHTS, HER USE OF STATE AIRCRAFT.

IN SPECIFIC, $170,000 PAID FOR BY TAXPAYERS, MORE THAN A HUNDRED FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE END OF AUGUST AND THE END OF MARCH.

>> SO THAT $170,000 IS A BALLPARK FIGURE.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY.

NOT LEAST 11 BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HASN'T RELEASED HER PUBLIC SCHEDULES DETAILING JUST HOW MANY FLIGHTS.

WE DO KNOW IT'S 140, 131 HOURS IN THE AIR.

HOCHUL, LIKE MANY GOVERNORS BEFORE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE NEW YORK, IS BEING ACCUSED OF ABUSING THAT EITHER FOR HER POLITICAL BENEFIT OR HER PRIVATE BENEFIT.

I THINK ONE FLIGHT THAT REALLY STUCK OUT TO ME WAS A SEPTEMBER FLIGHT JUST TO SEE THE BUFFALO BILLS HOME OPENER IN BUFFALO.

SHE FLEW FROM NEW YORK CITY TO BUFFALO.

SAW THE GAME, SPENT THE NIGHT AND FLEW RIGHT BACK TO NEW YORK CITY EARLY THE NEXT MORNING AND I THINK EXAMPLES LIKE THAT REALLY CHALLENGE THE IDEA THAT ALL OF THESE FLIGHTS, IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AS SHE HAS SAID ARE JUST FOR OFFICIAL STATE BUSINESS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TAXPAYER.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S INITIAL RESPONSE TO THIS WAS TO SAY WE'RE USING THE PLANE TO CONNECT WITH CONSTITUENTS, VOTERS ALL ACROSS THE STATE AS WELL AS CITIZENS.

THE USERS OF VOTERS, ONE IMAGINES, PROBABLY MADE HER STAFF GROAN A LITTLE BIT WITHOUT A DOUBT.

>> YEAH.

REPUBLICANS JUMPED ON THAT PRETTY QUICKLY AND SAID SHE SAID THE QUIET PART OUTLOUD.

OF COURSE, A LOT OF THESE FLIGHTS WERE FOR WHAT LOOKS LIKE LEGITIMATE GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, PRESS CONFERENCES, DISASTER BRIEFINGS, MEETING OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, BUT WE WOULD ALSO SEE AS THE "TIMES 12 UNION" HAS REPORTED MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE WOULD ALSO SPRINKLE IN THESE PRIVATE EVENTS.

CAMPAIGN EVENTS TYPICALLY SO THAT SHE CAN MAKE MAXIMUM-- TAKE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE OF ALL THESE DIFFERENT TRIPS AROUND THE STATE.

>> MOVING TO WASHINGTON, D.C., THERE WAS A VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY PROTECT EXISTING MARRIAGES, SAME SEX AS WELL AS INTERRACIAL ACROSS THE STATE, JUST ON THE CHANCE THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES TO GO AFTER THE OBERGEFELL DECISION FROM 2015.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS IT GOT 47 REPUBLICAN VOTES, INCLUDING EVERY MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK DELEGATION, GOP DELEGATION, EXCEPT FOR CLAUDIA TENNEY FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK.

>> I WAS REALLY STRUCK BY THIS.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS PRETTY SURPRISING.

IT'S NOT SO LONG AGO THAT MAINSTREAM DEMOCRATS WERE HESITANT 20 VOICE THEIR SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, NOTABLY.

BARACK OBAMA, HIS FIRST CAMPAIGN, YOU KNOW, STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING HE SUPPORTED GAY MARRIAGE.

THE FACT THAT NOW THAT THERE ARE A MAJORITY OF NEW YORK REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO ARE SUPPORTING THIS AND SAYING I WAS WRONG, YOU KNOW, BACK THEN, EVEN WHEN THEY, THEMSELVES, VOTED AGAINST NEW YORK'S LAW IS PRETTY INTERESTING.

AT THE SAME TIME, I DON'T THINK WE 13 SHOULD KID OURSELVES THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS MOVED, YOU KNOW, HUGELY ON THIS.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A LOT OF TRANSGENDER, YOU KNOW, BILLS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED AND ESPECIALLY IN THE REALM OF HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS, BUT CERTAINLY INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, IN THE CONTEXT OF ALL OF THESE KIND OF CULTURE WORD TYPE ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING, ABORTION, AND YOU KNOW, ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTION MOSTLY.

I THINK IT'S CLEAR THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE FEELING A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE AND CONSIDERING THESE ISSUES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING WITH CLAUDIA TENNEY, THE LONE REPUBLICAN IN THE STATE DELEGATION WHO VOTED AGAINST THIS, WAS SHE KIND OF USED AN EXCUSE SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID ABOUT ABORTION, THAT HERE IN NEW YORK, IT'S SETTLED LAW, AND SHE SUPPORTS SETTLED LAW BUT SHE WON'T PROACTIVELY ACTUALLY VOTE TO CODIFY HER ACTUAL BELIEFS.

SO SHE'S TRYING TO HAVE IT KIND OF BOTH WAYS.

SHE'S IN A DISTRICT THAT IS VERY RED-- A VERY RED DISTRICT AT THIS POINT.

SO SHE'S PROBABLY THINKING MORE ABOUT POTENTIAL VULNERABILITIES FOR POLITICAL RIGHT IN A PRIMARY MORE THAN NEW YORK STATE VOTERS' ATTITUDES AS A WHOLE.

>> WE SHOULD NOTE THAT CLAUDIA TENNEY VOTED AGAINST MARRIAGE EQUALITY WHEN SHE 14 WAS A STATE ASSEMBLYWOMAN AS WELL.

PLEASE GIVE HER POINTS FOR CONSISTENCY ON THIS.

WE ARE TALKING FRIDAY MORNING.

ON THURSDAY EVENING OUT IN ROCHESTER, LEE ZELDIN WAS ACCOSTED, ATTACKED BY A MAN WHO WAS HOLDING WHAT IS CALLED A KNUCKLE KNIFE.

BASICALLY SORT OF A TWO-PRONGED BLADE.

A VERY SCARY SCENE THAT WAS, OF COURSE, CAUGHT ON VIDEO.

IT'S UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT WHAT THIS MAN'S MOTIVATION MIGHT HAVE BEEN, BUT AT THIS POINT, SORT OF WHAT'S THE STATE OF PLAY OF HOW THIS IS PLAYING OUT POLITICALLY?

THANK GOODNESS, NOBODY WAS HURT.

>> WELL, THIS WAS A REALLY STRANGE SITUATION BECAUSE JUST EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR AT PERHAPS AT AN ATTEMPT AT HUMOR HAD RELEASED A SPOOFED VERSION OF ZELDIN'S PUBLIC SCHEDULE THAT BASICALLY SAID, OH, AT THIS TIME, HE'LL TALK ABOUT HIS VOTE AGAINST THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING THAT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH TOO MUCH CONTROVERSY, OR THAT THIS AND THAT.

AND THEN LO AND BEHOLD, HOURS LATER, SOMEBODY ACTUALLY COMMITS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE AT A ZELDIN CAMPAIGN EVENT OUTSIDE ROCHESTER NOW WE DON'T KNOW THE PERSON'S MOTIVATION, BUT IT WAS NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE HOCHUL CAMPAIGN THAT THEY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, SAID AT LEAST THAT HE WAS HAVING EVENTS AT THIS TIME.

THEY DIDN'T GIVE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, BUT REPUBLICANS 15 QUICKLY KIND OF MOVED TO DRAW A LINK BETWEEN, AGAIN, THIS ATTEMPT AT HUMOR THAT SHE HAD, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO ZELDIN.

WE'LL JUST SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S WHERE WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT.

THANKS VERY MUCH TO GRACE ASHFORD OF THE "NEW YORK TIMES".

PLEASE COME BACK, AND ZACH WILLIAMS OF THE "NEW YORK POST".

>> THANK YOU.

>> NEW YORK HAS LEGISLATED THAT RECREATIONAL ADULT USE CANNABIS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN NEW YORK, BUT IN ORDER TO SELL CANNABIS, NEW YORK, FIRST, NEEDS TO GROW IT.

THE REGULATORY ROADMAP FOR ADULT USE MARIJUANA PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION IS STILL BEING HASHED OUT.

BUT NEW YORK HAS ALREADY APPROVED A SELECT NUMBER OF CONDITIONAL CULTIVATOR LICENSES.

THIS WEEK, DAVID LOMBARDO CHECKED IN WITH ALLAN GANDELMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CANNABIS GROWERS AND PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION TO SEE WHERE NEW YORK'S BUDDING CANNABIS INDUSTRY STANDS.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> SO THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FROM YOUR FARM OFFICE, ALLEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO YOU ALREADY WEAR A LOT 16 OF DIFFERENT HATS.

YOU'RE THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CANNABIS GROWERS AND PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION.

YOU'VE GOT YOUR OWN FARM IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

BUT YOUR RESUME IS GROWING, AS YOU WILL NOW BE SERVING ON THE STATE'S CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD.

WHAT'S THAT BOARD'S MANDATE AND WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR IT MOVING FORWARD?

>> SO THE MANDATE OF THAT BOARD IS REALLY TWO-FOLD, AS I UNDERSTAND IT RIGHT NOW.

FIRST THING IS TO LOOK AT ALL OF THE DRAFT REGULATIONS THAT STARTING TO COME OUT OF THE STATE IN REGARDS TO CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, DISPENSARIES, ET CETERA AND MAKE COMMENTS AND THE SECOND THING, WHICH I THINK IS THE BIGGER MANDATE AND IT'S GOING TO BE YEARS OF WORK IS DECIDING HOW TO REINVEST THE TAX MONEY BACK INTO THE COMMUNITIES AROUND NEW YORK STATE THAT WERE MOST HARMED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS, AND SO THERE'S 13 MEMBERS OF US ON THAT BOARD, AND IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, 40% OF THE TAX REVENUE GETS DIVERTED INTO THIS-- SOME KIND OF COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT PROGRAM THAT OUR 13 MEMBERS KIND OF DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH.

>> SO WHILE A LOT OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE BEING CRAFTED RIGHT NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE WORK TO DO INTO 2023 AND BEYOND AS REVENUE REALLY BEGINS TO PICK UP, MOST LIKELY FROM THE SALE OF MARIJUANA.

17 >> YEAH, EXACTLY.

FOR THIS YEAR, YOU KNOW, WE ONLY JUST HAD OUR FIRST MEETING WHICH WAS REALLY JUST AN INTRO MEETING.

AND AFTER THAT, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY, WE'LL BE MEETING AT LEAST MONTHLY OR MORE.

AND PROBABLY THE TAX REVENUE WON'T COME IN UNTIL MID-NEXT YEAR I WOULD GUESS, AND THAT'S WHERE KIND OF THE NEXT PHASE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AS A BOARD WOULD SET INTO PLAY.

>> SO YOU'RE ONE OF ABOUT 220 HEMP FARMERS IN NEW YORK WHO HAVE BEEN GRANTED CONDITIONAL LICENSES TO GROW MARIJUANA THIS SUMMER, SO THAT WHEN AND IF DISPENSARIES OPEN LATER THIS YEAR, THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY STOCK THEIR CHEFS WITH.

HOW IS THE GROWING SEASON GOING SO FAR FOR YOU?

>> FOR ME PERSONALLY, THE GROWING SEASON IS AMAZING.

IT'S BEEN A DRY SUMMER BUT A REALLY NICE SUMMER FOR GROWING CANNABIS.

OUR PLANTS LOOK FANTASTIC, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REALLY GOOD, HIGH QUALITY CROP THIS YEAR.

>> AND I MENTIONED THAT MORE THAN 200 FARMERS HAVE BEEN GREEN LIT TO GROW MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK, BUT WE'RE A STATE OF 19 MILLION PEOPLE, SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE DEMAND FROM ADULTS THAT MIGHT POP UP ONCE DISPENSARIES ARE UP AND RUNNING, WILL WE HAVE ENOUGH CROP TO ACTUALLY STOCK SHELVES FOR MORE THAN A 18 WEEK?

>> WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH CROP TO STOCK SHELVES FOR MORE THAN A WEEK.

IT MIGHT ONLY THREE TO SIX MONTHS, THOUGH.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY DISPENSARIES THE STATE OPENS UP.

EVEN WITH THESE 220 FARMERS, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE STATE CONSUMES IN CANNABIS, IT'S PROBABLY MILLIONS OF POUNDS A YEAR AND EACH FARM CAN ONLY GROW UP TO ONE ACRE.

SO IT'S REALLY A GOOD START, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO, YOU KNOW, SATISFY THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY.

IT'S MAYBE GONNA SATISFY 10% OF THE NEED, AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM LEFT FOR MORE LICENSES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY, AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHERE THE STATE HAS TO CONTINUE ROLLING OUT REGULATIONS AND ROLLING OUT LICENSES.

YOU KNOW, BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO HOW MANY DISPENSARIES ARE THERE.

THIS NEW $200 MILLION FUND IS AVAILABLE TO START FUNDING THESE JUSTICE INVOLVED DISPENSARIES AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW THAT ROLLOUT LOOKS LIKE IN THE NEXT 6 TO 12 MONTHS.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE JUSTICE COMPONENT OF THE DISPENSARIES, WHICH WE WILL SEE COME INTO ACTION LATE THEY'RE YEAR, BUT THERE'S ALSO A SOCIAL EQUITY COMPONENT TO THE GROWING OF MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM THAT IS SUPPOSED TO ACCOMPANY THE CONDITIONAL LICENSES THAT 19 WERE AWARDED TO THOSE 200 PLUS FARMERS?

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

SO PART OF THE BILL THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED EARLIER THIS YEAR CREATES A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY, WHO ARE MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE SOCIAL EQUITY CULTIVATORS SO THAT THEY CAN PAIR UP WITH AN EXISTING FARMER OR NETWORK OF FARMERS AND REALLY LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH THE REGULATED INDUSTRY.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGACY CULTIVATORS IN NEW YORK STATE THAT HAVE BEEN GROWING FOR YEARS, AND SO THROUGH THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T NEED HELP LEARNING HOW TO GROW CANNABIS.

THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.

BUT I THINK THE THINGS WE CAN HELP WITH ARE AROUND THE PAPERWORK, COMPLIANCE, THE SEED-TO-SALE TRACKING SYSTEM, LABOR PRACTICES, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES ON THE BOOKS, ALL OF OTHER THINGS THAT ARE HARD TO DO WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A HIGHLY REGULATED INDUSTRY.

>> AND FINALLY, THE STATE'S CANNABIS CONTROL BOARD RECENTLY APPROVED FINAL REGULATIONS THAT WILL GOVERN THE DISPENSARIES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO OPEN THIS FALL.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION PAID TO THE FACT THAT THE INITIAL APPLICANTS WILL NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE RUNNING A BUSINESS, AND EITHER HAVE MARIJUANA CONVICTION THEMSELVES OR BE RELATED TO SOMEONE WHO HAS A 20 MARIJUANA CONVICTION.

ANYTHING ELSE MEANINGFUL ABOUT THESE REGULATIONS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR A LICENSE TO RUN A DISPENSARY?

>> YEAH.

I THINK YOU KIND OF MENTIONED THE BIGGEST PART THAT NO STATE IN THE COUNTRY HAS DONE, AND THAT IS, YOU KNOW, FINDING PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OR ARRESTED OF A CANNABIS OFFENSE, AND NOT JUST THEMSELVES BUT ANYONE IN THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

REALLY TRYING TO FIND THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS, NOT JUST THEMSELVES SO THAT'S UNIQUE AND GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT, WHAT'S UNIQUE HERE IS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE IS A $200 MILLION FUND THAT NEW YORK STATE HAS TO HELP PEOPLE NOT ONLY GET THEIR LICENSES BUT ACTUALLY FIND REAL ESTATE LOCATIONS, FIND THOSE DISPENSARIES, SIGN LEASES AND HELP THEM GET INTO A STOREFRONT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

A LOT OF TIMES WHAT YOU SEE IN OTHER MARKETPLACES IS, YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO FIND REAL ESTATE.

LANDLORDS DON'T WANT TO RENT TO DISPENSARIES.

IF THEY DO, THEY'RE CHARGING EXORBITANT AMOUNTS FOR RENT.

IN THIS CASE, NEW YORK STATE IS REALLY GOING TO STEP AND HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE RISK SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT THERE TO TRY TO RAISE 21 MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, FLOAT LONG-TERM LEASES, WAIT FOR THE LICENSING TO COME IN, ET CETERA.

I MEAN, THIS IS A REALLY FAST-TRACK WAY TO GET PEOPLE INTO A BUSINESS AND UP AND RUNNING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S JUST SOMETHING REALLY UNIQUE AND PEOPLE HAVE TO KIND OF UNDERSTAND THE STATE'S ROLE IN THIS.

IT ISN'T JUST YOU GET A LICENSE AND YOU'RE OFF ON YOUR OWN.

IT'S LIKE, YOU GET A LICENSE AND HERE'S A POTENTIAL STOREFRONT FOR YOU TO OPERATE AS YOUR FIRST ONE.

IN THE FUTURE, IF IT'S GOING WELL, YOU CAN OPEN UP OTHER STOREFRONTS DOWN THE LINE.

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN SPEAKING WITH ALLAN GANDELMAN, HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK CANNABIS GROWERS AND PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THE STATE'S CANNABIS ADVISORY BOARD.

ALLEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

[ THEME MUSIC ] >> NEW YORK STATE IS WORKING TO MAKE LEGAL ADULT USE MARIJUANA AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BY THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO HIT THAT GOAL.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE STORY.

AND THAT'S ALL WE HAVE TIME FOR ON THIS WEEK'S "NEW YORK NOW."

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND BE WELL.

[ THEME MUSIC ] 22 >>Announcer: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET.