MILLERTON — Considered a crucial step forward for local growers and retailers, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to sign legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis marked an historic moment for New York, laying the groundwork for the marijuana industry to grow the state’s economy to an unknown potential.
For those unfamiliar with the world of cannabis, here are a few key terms to keep in mind. The term “cannabinoid” has been defined on the National Cancer Institute website, www.cancer.gov, as a type of chemical in marijuana that causes drug-like effects throughout the body, including the nervous and immune systems. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation website, www.adf.org, attributes delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) as the two main cannabinoids, and recreational, medicinal and synthetic as the three types of cannabinoids used by people.
As they wait to find out what the rules will be now that New York State has legalized adult-use cannabis, local CBD retailers — such as Harney & Sons in Millerton — are considering their future operations. The Millerton News spoke to Michael Harney, vice-president of Harney & Sons, in November 2019 when the company world famous for its tea announced the opening of its sister company, The Hemp Division.
Harney said the initial thrust for The Hemp Division was beverages, both hot and bottled. Looking into other municipalities (like neighboring Copake in Columbia County) that were growing hemp, Harney & Sons pursued growing and harvesting hemp in Millerton.
Planting hemp in the summer of 2018 with plans to harvest it the following fall, Harney & Sons began The Hemp Division with 4 acres of hemp. Given their expertise as “tea people,” Harney said they learned the differences between growing an annual crop like hemp and a perennial crop like tea, as well as the amount of work involved between harvesting and keeping the crop under control.
Operating at 6075 Route 22 in Millerton, it’s now been three years since The Hemp Division took off and business has been going well. Considering how the hemp market has changed in the last few years, Harney said he’s noticed some of the people who were previously active in the market are no longer involved.
He added there was also supply in the beginning, then more supply than demand as the demand is building. Fortunately, Harney said his company has been lucky enough to have a steady business that doesn’t have vagaries.
Regarding the community’s response to The Hemp Division, he acknowledged there’s been some intrigue and hesitancy, but so far the business has been going in the right direction.
“The growing is always interesting and we’ve stumbled upon some good people to help us do that,” Harney said. “We’re learning how to make it into a regular business rather than into a hobby, seeing what works and what doesn’t. That part is coming along. However, the impression that it would be a gold mine probably was exaggerated.”
As far as what’s next for The Hemp Division, Harney said because the company is not sure what the new rules will be, it doesn’t don’t know if or how it might participate.
“We need to sort of get a better understanding of what the future might hold,” he said.
The governor signed the law that made recreation marijuana legal on Wednesday, March 31, making New York the 15th state to do so following New Jersey, which officially legalized cannabis on Monday, Feb. 23.
Cuomo’s website, www.governor.ny.gov, states that the legislation fulfills a key component in his 2021 State of the State Agenda in regard to managing New York’s economic crisis, made worse by the coronavirus pandemic.
On top of providing licensing for marijuana producers, retailers, distributors and others involved with the cannabis market, the legislation will expand New York’s existing medical marijuana and cannabinoid hemp programs. It also establishes the Office of Cannabis Management to implement a comprehensive regulatory framework that will cover medical, adult-use and cannabinoid hemp.
The legislation will also create a social and economic equity program to help those who have been “disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement that want to participate in the industry.”
Among the legislation’s potential economic opportunities, New York State’s adult-use cannabis industry has the potential for creating between 30,000 to 60,000 new jobs statewide while tax collections are projected at $350 million annually, according to the governor’s website.
In a press release issued the day he signed the legislation, Cuomo said, “This is a historic day in New York — one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State’s economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits.”
Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.
Bee Bee the Clown offered everyone attending the Millerton Street Fair balloon figures, jokes and musical sleight-of-hand. “I can make 50 types of balloon animals without thinking and probably around 100 if I concentrate,” the most complex being a rabbit in a top hat made from balloons, Bee Bee said. The clown, who also bills herself as Jackie the Magician, merged her two disciplines of clowning and magic to entertain visitors for the length of the fair.Bee Bee’s commitment to her craft appears beyond her performance, as reflected in her brightly-colored outfit and carefully-applied makeup. “The control exercised over the line work detail” of her eye makeup and the proper choice of footwear — no smaller than the size-16 shoes Bee Bee wore — are two of the aspects of clown dress which Bee Bee noted as being most important to her costume.Photo by Charlie Greenberg
The NorthEast-Millerton Library joined in the fun, hosting a book sale inside and a cookie bake-off on the front lawn.
Live music on the lawn of the Millerton Methodist Church supplied good vibes to those within earshot. The John Stey Band started the morning with classic country, western and bluegrass tunes. The afternoon wrapped up with a few hours of Afro-Cuban jazz from the Berkshire Resilience Brass Band.
Townscape and the North East Community Center joined in participating as non-profit organizations in the Millerton News Street Fair, coinciding with the regular weekly Millerton Farmers’ Market that attracts more than a dozen vendors to sell fresh produce, baked goods and more.
Eloise Gerstle, 2 and a half, posed with her balloon animal and her mother, Aimee Couture, both of Sharon, enjoying the fun of the Millerton News Street Fair on Saturday, June 28.Photo by Leila Hawken
Lisa Cope, Village of Millerton Town Clerk, was there to hand out “Save the Date” cards for next year’s 175th Anniversary of Millerton.
“I know it’s early,” she said. “but it’s coming.”
Amanda Coppola, the Webutuck Elementary School principal, was on hand to discuss after school programs, and mentioned a new pre-K program for three-year-olds that is the first in Dutchess County.
And Century Boulevard was packed with cars. License plates from across the Northeast could be spotted lining the wide street, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and even Pennsylvania.
Reporting and photography from Leila Hawken, Charlie Greenberg, Nathan Miller and John Coston contributed to this article.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Brody Reyes of Millerton, left, and Aaliyah Velie of Millerton, right, run and play with a beach ball in the parking lot of the Millerton Firehouse on Century Boulevard.
The Millerton Fire Company was a popular destination with its hot food — dogs and burgers and homemade french fries. The volunteer firemen ran the concession. Patti Lynch-VandeBogart was also on hand with popcorn and flavored ices.Kelly Roger, treasurer and a fire police captain of the department had pulled together the fire department’s food court.
A touch-a-truck event for children was popular, leading occasionally to a loud blast of a fire truck horn from an excited youngster.
