NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — In the state Assembly Friday morning, New York lawmakers followed the state Senate and passed a bill that will eliminate criminal penalties for public possession and use of marijuana.
Gov. Cuomo told Albany radio station WAMC that decriminalization is a big deal and that he will work with the legislature next year on a measure to legalize recreational marijuana use.
The bill to reduce low-level criminal charges for unlawful possession to a violation would make the penalty a fine similar to a parking ticket.
It would also expunge past convictions for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Supporters say this is an effort to address decades of racial disparities when it comes to drug arrests.