NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – It's official — New York is now the 16th state to allow the recreational use of marijuana.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed legislation approved the night before by New York state lawmakers, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21.
New Yorkers can also possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis under the legalization bill.
"This is a historic day in New York - one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, 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. "This was one of my top priorities in this year's State of the State agenda and I'm proud these comprehensive reforms address and balance the social equity, safety and economic impacts of legal adult-use cannabis. I thank both the Leader and the Speaker, and the tireless advocacy of so many for helping make today's historic day possible."
The Senate voted 40-23 in favor and the Assembly approved it 100-49 on Tuesday night.
The vote came after lawmakers had been deliberating the bill for hours.
“I am proud that through strong collaboration, we have reached the finish line,” said New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “The Senate Majority is stepping up to give New Yorkers the fair & equitable adult-use marijuana market they deserve.”
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris notes that the legislation will begin to “correct years of injustice in the name of the war on drugs.”
“This new law will also expunge criminal convictions for actions that will no longer be illegal and fairly address questions of equity, economic opportunity, and justice long-denied. I am proud our State Senate majority was able to achieve what was elusive for so long and am thankful to my colleagues for their relentless drive to get this done,” he said in a statement.
Legalizing recreational use of the drug has been a goal for many Democrats in the state, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
However, Republicans – and some Democrats – have continued to push back against efforts to legalize the drug, saying there are many risk factors to consider.
“The Majority ignored our law enforcement officers and district attorneys, who have raised serious concerns about the impact this legislation will have on our communities. Further, workplace safety concerns were largely disregarded, putting people at risk and making New York more hostile for businesses. And most importantly, the concerns expressed by public health officials statewide went ignored,” said Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt. “I cannot support this deeply flawed legislation due to the way it was developed, and the negative impact it will have on the health and safety of New Yorkers.”
The bill is transformative no matter which side you're on, ending nearly a century of marijuana prohibition in New York, along with what advocates say was the unfair treatment of communities of color in the war on drugs.
Some of that treatment was recounted firsthand during the state Senate's debate.
Sen. Jabari Brisport remembered back to when he was 19 and a plainclothes police officer pointed a gun at him as the officer tried to find a suspected weed dealer.
"So I'd like to be clear, a plainclothes police officer almost shot me in the face over weed. How many would-be future state senators have been accidental casualties of the war on drugs? How many would-be future teachers, doctors lawyers, scientists?" Brisport said.
It has taken years for the state’s lawmakers to come to an agreement on how to legalize recreational use of the drug and there have been several debates on impaired driving, where to direct revenues and how to protect children from accessing marijuana.
On Saturday, lawmakers announced they had reached an agreement with Gov. Cuomo to expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program, allow individual New Yorkers to grow six plants for personal consumption and set up a licensing and taxation system for recreational sales.
Local governments would have the ability to opt-out of retail sales.
The Associated Press reports the legislation provides protections for cannabis users in the workplace, housing, family court and in schools, colleges and universities, and sets a target of providing half of marijuana licenses to individuals from underrepresented communities.
The legislation takes effect immediately, though sales won't start until New York sets up regulations and a proposed cannabis board.
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