On 4/20, NYC Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul cheer legal marijuana for the Empire State

Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul pitched the economic benefits of legal cannabis on Wednesday, 4/20, the international day celebrating weed.

Adams is set to propose that the city spend $4.8 million to reach out to those most impacted, especially minority entrepreneurs impacted as a result of past usage. The plan would help them learn about the industry and set up their new small businesses — things like navigating the licensing process and obtaining financing, among other areas.

“The cannabis industry could be a major boon to our economic recovery—creating new jobs, building wealth in historically underserved communities, and increasing state and local tax revenue,” Adams said.

The announcement coincides with April 20 – also known as 4/20 – the date known for celebrating marijuana, and a day before neighboring New Jersey begins its own recreational pot sales.

Gov. Hochul used Wednesday as a hook to launch a public service ad campaign to inform the New Yorkers about the benefits of legal marijuana and building the Empire State as a global center of the weed trade.

“Part of us building the strongest cannabis industry in the nation is making sure New Yorkers have relevant facts at their fingertips,” Hochul said.

The “Cannabis conversations” campaign will stress that even pot enthusiasts should be aware of the importance of using pot responsibly.

“We remind all New Yorkers as they join 4/20 celebrations today that it’s never safe to drive high, you shouldn’t consume cannabis in disruptive ways, and cannabis can damage growing brains in youth,” Hochul said.

Adams’ economic blueprint says the cannabis industry will generate nearly $1.3 billion in sales this year alone and create around 20,000 jobs within three years. It calls weed a significant driver of the city’s recovery from the COVID pandemic, which exacerbated inequality.

Primarily other Democratic politicians were also jumping on the 4/20 bandwagon to push for higher fundraising numbers.

Beto O’Rourke, the former presidential candidate, asked supporters to donate $4.20 to his campaign for governor of Texas, vowing to be the man to legalize marijuana in the Lone Star State.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who is running for US Senate, called it a day “to *seriously* commit ourselves to full marijuana legalization + ending the racist War on Drugs.”