NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed laws Wednesday legalizing adult-use marijuana in New York, calling it a “historic day.”
“This can be a historic day in New York — one which rights the wrongs of the previous by placing an finish to harsh jail sentences, embraces an trade that can develop the Empire State’s financial system, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those who have suffered essentially the most would be the first to reap the advantages,” the governor mentioned in a press release.
Lawmakers handed the sweeping invoice in a historic vote Tuesday night.
“Final night time, the State Legislature made historical past and acted to proper a flawed and legalize marijuana the fitting means,” Mayor Bill de Blasio mentioned Wednesday.
New Yorkers 21 and older will be capable of legally purchase hashish from approved retailers, possess as much as three ounces, and develop as many as six vegetation at house. The potential $4.2 billion trade will imply $350 million in tax income for the state.
“We’re ending a 90-year prohibition,” mentioned Meeting Majority Chief Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who sponsored the laws.
Many native leaders wish to an indication a “hashish fairness dedication” to ensure the income helps minority communities.
“On this invoice, now we have labored to guard communities of colour from over-policing. We are going to spend hashish tax income to assist our communities which were broken by the Struggle on Medicine,” mentioned Peoples-Stokes.
Lawyer Basic Letitia James mentioned partly, “The legalization of marijuana is a racial and prison justice crucial.”
Below the brand new regulation, tens of hundreds of low-level marijuana convictions may even be robotically expunged.
Nonetheless, not everyone seems to be satisfied legalization a good suggestion.
“If revenues is the motive force of this laws, I believe we must always search for different alternate options,” Village of Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy instructed CBS2’s Dick Brennan.
Kennedy mentioned he desires his village to decide out of the sale and distribution of marijuana, for causes of security.
“I am not happy with the flexibility to check the extent of affect marijuana has on any of the drivers at this level, and nothing has been proven to us almost about this. Police usually are not happy with it,” Kennedy mentioned.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea mentioned he is uneasy with the brand new regulation.
“I fear about what is the unintended penalties. We have definitely seen that generally earlier than. That is one which’s a major shift,” Shea mentioned. “I’ve little question they suppose that they are doing the fitting factor.”
Some Republicans imagine the brand new regulation comes with risks and marks a step within the flawed course.
“Legalizing marijuana ensures younger folks can have better entry to a drug they should not be anyplace close to,” Meeting Minority Chief Will Barclay mentioned.
New Yorkers can begin rising marijuana straight away, however retail gross sales aren’t anticipated to start for a couple of 12 months.
CBS2’s John Dias and Dick Brennan contributed to this report.
