Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana Wednesday.
The legislation passed in the New York State Senate and State Assembly on Tuesday, allowing adults 21 years or older to use the substance freely.
CUOMO AND TOP LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCE DEAL TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK
The final draft of the legislation states three ounces of marijuana will be legal to possess for New Yorkers older than 21, and the substance will have a 13% sales tax. The tax revenues will be split up, with 9% going to the state and 4% going to localities, according to a readout of the legislation.
The Senate voted 40-23 in favor, and the Assembly approved it 100-49.
#BREAKING: I just signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis.
The bill creates automatic expungement of previous marijuana convictions that would now be legal.
This is a historic day.
I thank the Leader and Speaker and the tireless advocacy of so many.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 31, 2021
While the law goes into effect immediately, it will likely take between 18 months and two years before legal sales begin, State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, citing a waiting period for the establishment of the Office of Cannabis Management.
In addition to the office formation, the bill will expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program, create a licensing system for distributors, and create a Social and Economic Equity Program encouraging those who are disproportionately affected by cannabis enforcement to participate in the industry.
Residents can also grow up to three mature and immature marijuana plants for personal consumption.
Democratic state Sen. Liz Krueger said in a statement that revenue from the bill would channel 40% of marijuana sales back into “the most hard-hit communities,” adding 20% of the revenue would go toward drug treatment and education, with 40% going toward public schools.
Following the bill’s approval Tuesday night, Cuomo released a statement before its signing, saying, “Tonight, the New York State Legislature took the first step in a major leap forward for the Empire State by passing legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis.”
A significant provision of the bill states that anyone previously convicted of possessing an amount of marijuana under the legal limit will be eligible to have their convictions expunged and be subject to resentencing.
“The legalization of marijuana is a racial and criminal justice imperative,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James after the bill’s passage.
Cuomo added in his Tuesday statement, “For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences.”
Up to 60,000 jobs could be created, and the state will generate $350 million in revenue annually with the legislation in place, he said.
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“After years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public,” the governor said.
