Legislation to Legalize Marijuana Filed in New York
Companion measures that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for those 21 and older have been filed in New York’s House and Senate.
Senate Bill 3040 and Assembly Bill 3506 would legalize the possession and use of up to two ounces of cannabis for those 21+. The limit would be twice as much as allowed in most legal cannabis states like Colorado where the max is one ounce, but would be less than Maine’s new law that allows 2.5 ounces.
The proposals would also allow for the personal cultivation of up to six cannabis plants, and would establish a licensed, regulated and taxed system of cannabis retail outlets and cultivation centers.
The filing of the bills come as a new report shows that cannabis arrests are actually on the rise in New York City. A report released last year using data from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services found that over 90% of those arrested in New York City are minorities.