NYS legislature legalizes recreational marijuana

The New York State legislature has formally voted to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana for adults.

In a report on Tuesday March 30, 2021, it was stated that the records of people previously convicted of possession of marijuana will be expunged.

The report adds that the NYS assembly voted 100—49 to pass the marijuana legalization bill.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had earlier promised to sign the bill into law, reiterated that plan Tuesday night.

“Tonight, the New York State Legislature took the first step in a major leap forward for the Empire State by passing legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis,” he said in a statement.

“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 this important legislation will once again carry on that legacy,” he added. “I look forward to signing this legislation into law.”

The report says that under the final legislation, 3 ounces of marijuana will be legal to possess for New Yorkers over 21 and the substance will have a 13% sales tax.

“The tax revenues will be broken up with 9% going to the state and 4% going to localities, according to the legislation,” the report reads.

The director of organizing at Vocal-NY, Jawanza James Williams, said that the Senate modeled what democracy actually looks like when, “the legislature allows progressive movements to lead towards justice”.

“This is a massive success for all New Yorkers, especially the Black and brown survivors of racist prohibition,” Williams added.

The governor’s office further stated that as many as 60,000 new jobs could be created and the state will generate $350 million in revenue annually, as a result of the new laws.

Residents will also be allowed to grow marijuana at home, with a limit of three mature plants for adults over 21 and six mature plants per household.

Anyone previously convicted of possessing an amount of marijuana now under the legal limit will automatically be subject to expungement and resentencing.