New York’s cannabis legalization bill was greenlit in March, but little to no progress has happened since.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who just announced his resignation due to multiple sexual harassment accusations, never nominated an executive director for the Office of Cannabis Management. He also did not name appointees to the Cannabis Control Board.

With Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul set to take over the post, it remains to be seen whether the rollout will pick up speed.

Should the ball get rolling, what can companies expect? What should they know? How should they prepare?

To get an idea, City Signal spoke with Kim Stuck, founder of Allay Consulting. She’s an expert on all things cannabis regulation, including compliance, inspections, licensing, recalls, shelf stability, and CBD source approvals.

Here’s what she had to say:

Have you spoken to cultivators, manufacturers, retailers or investors about the New York market?

Yes, I have spoken to a number of people investing or wanting to open a cannabis facility in New York. They are excited but getting impatient. They want regulations to be available so they will know what licenses they need to apply for. Many people are anticipating that they will be required to be cGMP Certified. Many of our clients have already started on that journey.

New York cannabis company owners are just trying to anticipate what they will need based on other states’ regulations. Once the licensing and regulations are available they will want to act quickly to keep up with the competition. Everyone in New York wants to beat New Jersey to the opening date, but with the way things are moving I’m not sure that is going to happen.

Let’s say licenses start getting issued this year and that starts New York’s seed-to-sale weed market. What should commercial pot companies interested in the state do to avoid compliance pitfalls?

My advice is to make sure commercial cannabis companies understand all the regulations thoroughly and start getting cGMP Certification as soon as possible, especially manufacturing and extraction companies. Knowing how strict New York is when it comes to the health and safety of its citizens, cGMP will most likely be required.

If you aren’t prepared it could hold you back from getting a license—and cGMP Certification can take anywhere from 4-12 months to implement. Also, get all your business plans, partners, investors, financial advisors, lawyers and consultants engaged as soon as possible. I have a feeling they will be very busy in New York very soon, and the faster you can move the better chance you have of being successful.

Which market did it right? Which city should New York try to mimic?

There is no perfect state and I’m not sure that there will ever be one, it’s really subjective based on opinion. Each state does it differently because of its culture and environment. I personally really like Michigan’s rules. But, once again, there are things I don’t like about them as well. I think each state should look at a handful of regulations from other states and pick and choose what is going to work best for them.

Al Harrington has said California showed us what not to do in terms of cannabis legalization and license distribution. Do you agree with that assessment?

I do agree with his assessment. California essentially included three different sets of regulations from three different departments. Communication between the departments is always poor. Many times it was impossible to be compliant with one set of regulations if you were being compliant with another. It was very complicated and confusing for operators. They also launched everything without having the bandwidth to regulate properly. I have California clients that have yet to see a regulator to this day. This causes all sorts of issues and allows the legacy market to thrive.

Do you think cannabis companies (i.e. Jushi or Curaleaf) will gravitate toward certain neighborhoods?

I’m sure that location is a factor. Different company types will choose what neighborhood is going to best support the culture of their brand.

Lastly, what’s next for Allay Consulting?

Allay is certainly looking to grow organically alongside the cannabis industry. With all the new states coming online how could we not? We also opened a psychedelics division in January 2021 and are poised to assist Oregon’s medical psilocybin companies once regulations and licenses become available. It is a very exciting time to be in these industries and we are grateful to our clients for making it possible for us to be included.

The post Cannabis Cultivators Are Getting Impatient With NYC appeared first on CitySignal.

If you’re single — or don’t feel like third-wheeling it — there are plenty of options.

To save you some time, City Signal sifted through the internet’s detritus of upcoming events. Peruse the list below for where to go and what to do with your future (potential) someone.

Pier A Harbor House — Saturday, August 7, 2021

Head over to 22 Battery Place in Battery Park City for “NYC Outdoor Summer Speed Dating.” At this event, you will be going on a series of 10 to 15 mini-dates — each one lasts about six minutes each.

Women stay seated and the men rotate from table to table until they meet each woman. You will get a match card and at the end of each mini-date you’ll indicate whether or not you’d like to see the person again.

At the end of the evening, you will hand your match card into the event host. If you both select each other, the host will send you each others’ email addresses the next day so you can set up a future date.

Click here for details, ticket info and a list of Covid-19 precautions. Pro tip: Stick around and enjoy the romantic view from the pier with your potential sweetheart.

Paint in Central Park — Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021

Head over to Central Park. Bring a mask, something to sit on, and a bottle of wine (or whatever cocktails you’d like). The hosts will provide you with a pre-sketched canvas, unlimited painting materials (brushes, acrylic paints etc.), and a take-home bag.

No smocks so dress appropriately.

Click here for details and ticket info.

Online Speed Dating — Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021

If you don’t feel like venturing out and about, you can meet other singles from the comfort of your own Zoom.

Grab a snack or maybe even a cocktail and go on a series of live one on one video dates. A new dater will show up on your screen every five minutes or so until you meet everyone.

When the event ends, you’ll be able to select those you’d like to see again. If they mutually matched with you, our host will send you each others’ email addresses within 24 hours of the event.

This event has been called, “The absolute best way to meet quality singles in the modern age.” Click here for details and tickets.

Sour Mouse — Friday, August 13, 2021

Head over to 110 Delancey Street in the Lower East Side and go on a series of 10 to 15 mini-dates (about six minutes each).

Women stay seated and the men rotate from table to table. At the end of the evening, you will hand your match card into the event host.

If you and one of your dates select each other, the hosts will send you each others’ email addresses and you’ll receive an email with the first name and email of your mutual matches. No names or contact info will be shared unless there is a mutual match. Click here for details and tickets. Stick around for the after-party.

Sour Mouse — Friday, August 13, 2021

If speed dating isn’t your… speed, Sour Mouse is also hosting a (sort of) free ping pong and billiards social from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

You’ll get a complimentary cocktail of choice before 8:30 pm but a required two-item purchase afterward. Hey, the hosts have to pay for the venue.

110 Delancey Street in the Lower East Side is touted as the neighborhood’s newest and trendiest spot. Launched by lifelong LES resident Aaron Ho in October, the gaming bar wants patrons to put their phones down and “enjoy the company of others, partake in fun recreational games, and throw an exciting party or event.” (h/t I Love NY).

You can also expect live jazz and funk bands to set the ambiance. Get details and tickets here.

The Playwright — Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021

27 W 35th St. in Midtown Manhattan is the place to be for not one, but two events for singles.

There’s a speed dating event from 6:30 PM – 8:30 p.m. followed by a “Nuts & Bolts Party” from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Here’s how it works. Women get nuts. Men get bolts. Eligible singles must mingle to find the nut/bolt that fits with the nut/bolt they were given. You will have multiples matches in the room.

Every time you find a match, you’ll get a raffle ticket from the event host for a chance to win prizes.

You’ll also get three-match cards to give out to any three people at the event.

Attention, bros: dress to impress. That means no t-shirts, tank tops, baseball caps or gym attire. Get details and tickets here and here.

Are you hosting an event that’s ideal for singles? DM us on social media and let us know.

The post Single in NYC? Consider These Upcoming Events if You’re Ready to Mingle appeared first on CitySignal.

Well, there will be soon as New York City prepares to host a series of concerts in each of the five boroughs between Aug. 14 and Aug. 22.

The event — dubbed NYC Homecoming Week — will celebrate “the Summer of New York City,” according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The move comes despite a warning from health officials that coronavirus cases are on the rise due to the delta variant.

“Joining one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history will be momentous concerts in each borough featuring renowned artists who have made New York City proud,” said de Blasio in a prepared statement. “It’s time to celebrate our city, support our local businesses, and have an incredible Summer of New York City.”

The concerts will be held at the following spots:

Orchard Beach in The Bronx — Monday, Aug. 16

Richmond County Bank Park in Staten Island — Tuesday, Aug. 17

Brooklyn Army Terminal — Thursday, Aug. 19

Forest Hills Stadium in Queens — Friday, Aug. 20

The Great Lawn, Central Park in Manhattan — Saturday, Aug. 21

Who’s Performing?

The full line-up of artists who will perform at each of the NYC Homecoming Week concerts will be announced in the coming weeks. Early reports suggest Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Jennifer Hudson are on the list.

De Blasio will join record producer Clive Davis, Live Nation and Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Danny Meyer to unveil the lineup of artists who will perform for the Great Lawn concert in the coming weeks.

“No city rivals New York as a stage for artists and spectators to come together in person—and for too many months, we’ve missed experiencing the rousing energy of live performances in public places,” said Meyer, who also founded Shake Shack. “It’s time for a homecoming—for New Yorkers who temporarily moved away, and for visitors who have been longing for what we do better than anywhere else on earth. Be there. This homecoming is for you.”

Universal Hip Hop Museum executive director and president Rocky Bucano will join de Blasio to announce the details for the concerts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

More Than Music

Plans include more than just music.

Rooftop Films, which travels around presenting events on various scenic spots, will also host free film screenings during NYC Homecoming Week.

The overall goal is to have enough events to bolster support for local organizations and mom-and-pop businesses that struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For more information on NYC Homecoming Week, click here.

The post What You Need to Know About NYC Homecoming Week appeared first on CitySignal.

Some 481,284 room nights were sold the week of July 12. That’s a 3.5% increase —17,000 room nights — from the previous week.

This marks the city’s highest recorded demand since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is incredible progress,” said de Blasio.

The news comes on the heels of a warning from health officials that coronavirus cases are on the rise across the country, including New York, due to the delta variant. Although recent studies suggest that a Covid vaccine is approximately 80 percent effective against preventing infection from the delta variant.

“People are coming back to New York City,” added de Blasio who, earlier this month, announced a $30 million investment in New York City’s tourism.

The campaign, backed by federal dollars, aims to entice tourists back to Gotham after tourism and hospitality companies took a hit during the pandemic as people quarantined and adhered to social distancing guidelines.

The post Hotel Demand on the Rise as Mayor Touts NYC Comeback appeared first on CitySignal.