It’s official!
Or, practically. All that’s left is for Governor Cuomo to sign the new legislation into law this morning. *UPDATE: As of 11a.m. this morning, the bill has been signed into law*
Adult-use marijuana is legal in New York, as voted on by the State Senate last night. News of a surprise agreement between NY lawmakers (which had previously failed to come to fruition over the past three years of trying) was released last week, with speculation that it would be voted on as early as this week. And that has proven true.
Late last night (March 30), the New York State Legislature passed the legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis. Governor Cuomo said:
For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences and 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. New York has a storied history of being the progressive capital of the nation, and the important legislation will once again carry on that legacy. I look forward to signing this legislation into law.
The legislation includes:
- Decriminalizing the possession of marijuana, up to three ounces
- Creates automatic expungement or resentencing for anyone with a previous marijuana conviction
- A 9 percent state tax on retail sales of marijuana
- Allowing local cities and town to add an additional 4 percent sales tax, or could even decide against local sales and deliveries in their jurisdiction
- Residents would be allowed to home-grow their own marijuana for personal use, up to “6 mature plants and 6 immature plants maximum per household”
- A “state regulatory agency” to issue licenses to growers & oversee businesses
You can find specifics of the new law here.
featured image source: Unsplash