New York Governor Cuomo says recreational marijuana should be legalized in state in 2019
- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he will make legalizing recreational marijuana a top legislative priority for his administration next year
- A report commissioned by Cuomo found that a legal cannabis industry could bring in more than $1.3 billion in annual tax revenue to New York State
- The move is also intended to address the disproportional number of minorities who are arrested through drug enforcement actions by police
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday that legalizing marijuana for recreational use would be one of his top legislative priorities next year.
The move, which would add New York to the list of 10 U.S. states and the District of Columbia that have legalized the drug, could bring in more than $1.3 billion in annual tax revenue, according to a report commissioned by the governor and released last summer.
Neighboring New Jersey is also weighing whether to allow recreational use of marijuana. Governor Phil Murphy, a supporter of the proposal, and leaders in the Democratic-controlled legislature have been working on a bill for several months.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces Monday in New York City that he plans to make legalizing recreational marijuana a top priority for his administration
The added revenue could help address a number of needs, including New York City’s troubled subway system, which is desperately in need of major repairs and upgrades.
In a speech outlining his plans for 2019, Cuomo told the New York City Bar Association that legalizing marijuana would contribute to a fairer justice system. He argued that enforcement has ‘for too long targeted the African-American and minority communities.’
‘The fact is we have had two criminal justice systems — one for the wealthy and the well off, and one for everyone else,’ Cuomo said.
‘We must also end the needless and unjust criminal convictions and the debilitating criminal stigma, and let’s legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all,’ Cuomo said.
Democrats control both of the state’s legislative chambers after they captured the state Senate in November’s election.
New York state includes New York City, which is the most populous U.S. city with 8.5 million residents.
Since Colorado and Washington state legalized recreational cannabis use in 2014, eight other states and the federal capital Washington, DC have followed suit.
Those states are Alaska, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Vermont.
Canada, which borders New York State, in October became the world’s first major economy to fully legalize cannabis.