Bizmen: Let us go to pot
Liquor shops jonesing to sell weed
ALBANY – It’s an intoxicating proposal.
A coalition of liquor and wine store interests known as The Last Store on Main Street is starting a campaign to allow for the sale of “regulated, recreational marijuana” in their establishments.
The founder of the Last Store coalition, Jeff Saunders, who is also head of the Retailers Alliance, said other states where pot was legalized saw declines in wine and liquor stores, resulting in job losses and store closings.
“New York should learn from the mistakes other states have made, and work with trusted partners who are already regulated by the state,” Saunders said. “Wine and liquor stores provide a good living for owners, many of whom are people of color. Their investments in the American Dream should not be threatened by this new product when it can easily be a lifeline instead.”
He notes that California and Canada allow recreational pot sales in wine and liquor stores.
With 3,000 locations across New York, the coalition says liquor and wine stores, which already operate under a stringent regulatory scheme, provide fast and affordable access to the marketplace.
The coalition also says the stores, which support local economies, already are required to ensure only adults of legal age buy their products.
“The state rejected wine in grocery stores and other outlets because lawmakers wanted to keep this product tightly controlled in our stores,” said Stefan Kalogridis, president of the New York State Liquor Store Association. “They should do the same with marijuana rather than placing this responsibility in the hands of new, unproven retailers.”
One person who sees no benefit to selling pot in liquor store or anywhere else is state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, a former liquor store owner.
“I understand the politicians want to get their hand on the money that can be made from it, but I think it’s an awful way to put many of young people into darkness so we can get more tax revenue,” Long said.
Pressed on whether liquor stores should be allowed to sell pot if it is legalized in New York, Long wouldn’t budge.
“I don’t believe it should be sold, period,” he said.
Gov. Cuomo, who a year ago called marijuana a “gateway drug” and opposed its legalization, in August created a work group to develop recommendations on legislation to legalize pot in New York.