This weekend on In Focus, we celebrate Women’s History Month. JoDee Kenney opens a conversation with Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who is also a member of the Advisory Council for the planned Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum. Peoples-Stokes talks about the significance of the election of Gov. Kathy Hochul to a full term in office, and her colleague in legislative leadership, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Peoples-Stokes said this helps set a constructive tone during budget negotiations at the State Capitol. As she participates in planning the new Smithsonian Museum, Peoples-Stokes said she is reaching out to Western New York women to incorporate diverse viewpoints in the process. The goal, she said is to provide a space to tell a full spectrum of stories of American women, to inspire future generations to continue the fight against inequalities that still persist.

In the Assembly, Peoples-Stokes is a supporter of New York’s now-legal cannabis industry, and discussed the timeline of licensing dispensaries and growers, and expanding opportunities for more New Yorkers to enter the business. One aspect of cannabis regulation being addressed this legislative session, Peoples-Stokes wants to see the repeal of the potency tax for recreational cannabis in New York.

You can watch the full interview with Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.