New York announced an agreement to legalize the sea …

Governor Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers new York reached an agreement for legalize the recreational use of marijuana for people over the age of 21, as announced this Sunday by the authorities of the state of the east coast of the United States.

The deal was reached on Saturday night after years of discussions. And it comes as Cuomo faces multiple investigations, including a sexual harassment complaint and an alleged cover-up of deaths at a covid-19 nursing home.

Once the legislation is passed (Cuomo’s Democratic Party has a strong majority in both houses of the local Congress) New York will join with 14 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing cannabis use.

The governor’s office said in a statement that legalization could increase the state’s annual tax revenue by $ 350 million and create tens of thousands of jobs.

According to the bill, those over 21 will be able to buy and grow marijuana for personal use at home, because it includes a plan for using part of the funds raised for drug addiction treatment and education.

“Legalizing cannabis for adults isn’t just about creating a new market that creates jobs and benefits the economy; aims to bring justice to long marginalized communities and ensure that those who have been unfairly penalized in the past now have the opportunity to benefit, ”Cuomo said in the statement.

Once passed, the law would take effect immediately, although the sale could take up to two years as a cannabis council will need to put in place the legal structures, a state lawmaker said on Friday.

“End marginalization and injustices”

According to the bill, New York to automatically clear registry of people convicted of past marijuana offenses who are no longer penalized.

It will also eliminate penalties for possession of up to three ounces (85 grams) of drugs, the new personal possession limit. And an existing medical marijuana program will be expanded.

It also plans to tax marijuana sales at 9 percent, and an additional tax of 4 percent, the collection of which will be shared between the county government and the state government.

The proposal includes the provision of credits and guarantees to promote job creation and the participation in the industry of small farmers, women and disabled veterans.

Project promoters claim that It will be an important step towards ending decades of injustice against minorities and poor communities, who have been disproportionately persecuted during decades of severe drug criminalization.

“This landmark legislation does justice to New York State by ending the ban, eliminating conviction records that have reduced the chances of countless young New Yorkers, predominantly black and Latin American,” said said The Legal Aid Society, a law firm. Social.