New York governor signs bill legalizing recreational marijuana for adult-use
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed bills legalizing adult-use, recreational cannabis in New York on Wednesday morning and created the country’s second-largest recreational marijuana market.
With 40 voting in favor and 23 against, the Senate passed Bill S854A. Later on, the Assembly approved it with 100 votes in favor and 49 votes against it during a late-night session Tuesday.
The bill also strikes out previous marijuana convictions for actions that would be legal under the new law.
One that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, Cuomo said in a news release Wednesday that it’s a historic day in New York. He added that it 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.
Cuomo said that he is proud these comprehensive reforms address and balance the social equity, safety, and economic impacts of legal adult-use cannabis and it was one of his top priorities in this year’s State of the State agenda.
The bill creates licenses for producers and distributors.
It now legalizes adults 21 and plus to buy cannabis from authorized sellers, and also possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of cannabis concentrate.
And, 18 months after sales first begin it now permits them to grow at home up to six mature plants and six immature plants at home per household.
State Sen. Liz Krueger, the bill’s sponsor in the Senate on Tuesday evening spoke about the racial inequities of drug enforcement, and the “injustice” of marijuana prohibition for young people, whose lives were being destroyed.
The bill’s Assembly sponsor Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said in a news release ahead of the bill’s anticipated passing that she was “proud” to see the bill pass after so many years of effort.
“We are providing marijuana justice by ensuring investment into the lives and communities of those who suffered for generations as a result of mass incarceration,” Peoples-Stokes said.
