new york legalization Archives

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Calls for Marijuana to be Legalized

December 17, 2018December 17, 2018

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today called for marijuana to be legalized in his state as part of a “true justice agenda”.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (photo; Reuters).

“Let’s legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all,” said Cuomo. He said that he plans to push for the measure within 100 days, reports NBC New York. Cuomo didn’t provide a specific timeline for when he believes legalization would become a reality.

Cuomo’s comments marks the first time he’s ever stated support for legalizing marijuana; he shied away from the issue almost entirely during his first two terms (he won reelection last month), and once referred to cannabis as a “gateway drug”. In July he said that the “situation on marijuana is changing”, which was the first indication that he may eventually support legalization as he now says he does.

New York City Council Calls on State to Legalize Cannabis

March 20, 2015

By Drug Policy Alliance

NYC Council 2015 Policy Agenda Urges State Legislature to Fix New York’s Broken Marijuana Policies

This week, the New York City Council called for the state of New York to pass historic legislation to both decriminalize and to tax and regulate marijuana. As part of the Council’s State Budget and Legislative Agenda for the 2015-2016 legislative session, the New York City Council urged the state legislature to pass two historic marijuana policy reforms – the Fairness and Equity Act and the Marijuana Regulation and Tax Act (MRTA). The Speaker of the City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito had previously announced her support for marijuana legalization in November, but this marks the first time that marijuana decriminalization and legalization have been part of the Council’s official legislative agenda.

New York State Lawmakers Hold Public Forum on Taxing and Regulating Cannabis Like Alcohol

December 17, 2014December 17, 2014

By Drug Policy Alliance

Hearing Follows Historic Votes to Legalize Marijuana in Alaska, Oregon and D.C.

Statement by the Drug Policy Alliance: It’s Time to Fix New York’s Broken Marijuana Policies

New York's State Seal. — New York’s State Seal.

New York — Today, Senator Liz Krueger and Assemblyperson Crystal Peoples-Stokes sponsored a public forum about the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, a bill that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. Under the proposal, those over 21 would be able to purchase small amounts of marijuana from a state-regulated store. The bill would rectify the many problems associated with marijuana prohibition, including the arrests of tens of thousands of primarily young people of color.

“There is no question that New York’s marijuana policies are broken,” said Kassandra Frederique, Policy Manager at the Drug Policy Alliance. “Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers are swept into the maze of the criminal justice system for nothing more than possessing small amounts of marijuana. Enforcement of these policies is focused almost entirely focused on young people, primarily young people of color, such that our laws are now applied differently to different people based on the color of their skin and their income level – this must stop.”