New York has approved recreational marijuana use for people 21 and over

New York followed in the footsteps of 14 other states and approved the bill that legalizes the recreational use of marijuana for people 21 and over, after hours of intense debate in the state legislature.

The controversial project has finally found the green light after last week Democrats, who dominate Senate and Assembly, will strike deal with state governor Andrew Cuomo, thus seeing an old promise fulfilled. After starting, could help clean up public coffers after impact of coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation could generate $ 350 million in annual taxes and part of these funds must be invested in minority communities affected by severe penalties for possession of this drug.

The new industry would create between 30,000 and 60,000 jobs, as it became known to the media.

“New York has a history of being the nation’s progressive capital and this important legislation will carry on that legacy once again.”, said in a statement Cuomo, who thanked the Senate and Assembly leaders, Andrea Stewart-Cousin and Carl Heastie, respectively, by effort.

He also noted that the marijuana ban has long disproportionately impacted communities of color with harsh prison terms. After years of hard work, this landmark law does justice to underserved communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy and keep the public safe.“.

The Senate was the first to take a historic step and, shortly after the Assembly, to give the green light to the bill that will establish a Office of Cannabis Management and a Cannabis Control Commission that will regulate and license the National Adult Use Program, the existing medical marijuana program and the hemp program, local media reported.

State Senator Liz krueger, one of the sponsors of the bill, said he was satisfied with a law that guarantees will end “failed marijuana ban policies in the state and begin the process of building a legal, fair and inclusive market for adult cannabis”.

“The last time the state did something like this was when we ended the alcohol ban.”, said the woman of the assembly Crystal People-Stokes, a godfather in the lower house.

“That was in 1933. Studies tell us that more people who are not of color are using the product, but people of color are the ones who were arrested and jailed,” he said.

During the debate before its approval, Republicans and some Democrats expressed their fear that the wrong message will be sent to children and how the police will be able to determine if a driver is high.

The project, which is currently signed by Cuomo, is expected to take two years to be fully implemented and will impose a 9% for the sale of cannabis and 4% for the county where the sale and local administration take place.

(With information from EFE)

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