Statement on The Seeding Opportunity

The Fortune Society applauds Governor Hochul’s action to grant priority for cannabis retail licenses to people with marijuana convictions, and their family members.  At Fortune, we know that prior convictions all too often prevent people from obtaining the economic stability necessary to support themselves and their families.  The Seeding Opportunity Initiative is an important step towards achieving some measure of equity and justice for the people and communities that have been most impacted by decades of harmful policies. We look forward to working with the Governor to continue to advance equity, promote racial justice, and provide opportunities to New Yorkers who have been impacted by the criminal legal system.

– Lily Shapiro

Policy Counsel at the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy