As of Wednesday, March 24, New York state lawmakers finalized a deal with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.
The New York Times reported that the legalization of marijuana in the state could be a $4.2 billion industry with millions in sales tax revenue reinvested in minority communities every year.
Over the years, there has been racially disproportionate policing where Hispanics and Blacks have been charged more frequently than white people have for low-level marijuana cases.
The bill would allow for up to six plants at home in an indoor space or outdoor for personal use, and allow delivery of the drug and permit club-like lounges or “consumption sites” where marijuana, but not alcohol, could be consumed.
A considerable portion of business licenses would be reserved for minority business owners.
Democrat and Assemblywoman Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes stated, “A percentage of revenue that is raised will get invested into the communities where the people who suffered mass incarceration come from and still live in many cases.”
“For me, this is a lot more than about raising revenue: It’s about investing in the lives of the people that have been damaged.”
The marijuana proposal was in the process of being negotiated as part of the state budget, which is set to be due April 1. However, the stand-alone piece of legislation is being prioritized to be voted on sooner and the Democratic-controlled state Legislature may pass the bill as soon as this week.
In his interview with The New York Times, Democratic State Senator Liz Krueger said, “When this bill is finally voted on and signed, New York will be able to say we have finally undone damaging criminal justice laws that accomplished nothing but ruining people’s lives.”
“We will finally be able to say we’re going to have an industry for cannabis that assures people who buy the product that they are buying a legitimate product from legitimate companies.”
Sexual harassment scandals and criticism over the handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state lead to the need to shift negative attention away from Gov. Cuomo.
Gov. Cuomo now finds himself in favor of the bill despite his initial stance on the issue.
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According to The New York Times, “One goal of the legislation is for half of the program’s business licenses to go to so-called equity applicants, which could include disabled veterans, minority- and women-owned businesses, and people who have relatives with a marijuana conviction.”
The passing of the bill will also contribute to medical marijuana companies that will be able to enter the recreational market.
