On this episode of Joint Session, Herb is joined by Beck Hickey and Erin Thurmond. Beck and Erin share a candid look inside New York’s cannabis licensing battle, focusing on the frustrations and uncertainty surrounding the December Queue. They break down how shifting rules, political decisions, and market analysis have left thousands of equity-focused applicants in limbo, while early license holders consolidate advantages.
The conversation digs into:
- Why the December Queue was created—and how it strayed from its original promise of equity.
- The financial, legal, and emotional toll of waiting years for clarity.
- The role of the illicit market and why inclusion—not exclusion—may be the only sustainable path forward.
- The urgent need for transparency, fairness, and accountability from OCM and state leadership.
It’s a raw and important discussion about survival, advocacy, and the fight to make cannabis reform live up to its intentions.
Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis is produced by Herb Barbot, with executive production and marketing by Simlev.
Please contact us at herb.jointsession@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments, including topics to cover.
If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating and review on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners find the show.
What is Joint Session: Diverse Voices in NYS Cannabis?
Joint Session is your go-to source for the latest cannabis news shaping the New York market. Hosted by Herb Barbot, Esq., the first Director of Operations at the NYS Office of Cannabis Management, this podcast delivers expert insights, breaking developments, and in-depth conversations with the industry’s most influential voices.
From policymakers and legislators to business leaders, licensees, and advocates, Joint Session brings you exclusive interviews with those shaping the future of cannabis in New York and beyond. Plus, we keep you informed with key national and international cannabis updates.
Whether you're an industry professional, an advocate, or just curious about the evolving landscape, Joint Session delivers factual, insightful, and digestible information to help you stay ahead of the curve. Tune in for high-level discussions, straight talk, and expert perspectives you won’t find anywhere else.