Will New York State legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in 2021? It’s looking more and more plausible. Time to discuss Governor Cuomo’s recent announcement, the likelihood that a marijuana legalization bill will pass in 2021, and the impact it could have on the state if it does.
For decades, there has been talk of legalizing marijuana in New York. And there have even been some hefty pushes from leading politicians in the state. But none have yet pushed the issue over the finish line.
Now, after a few years of research and haggling, just days before his 2021 “State of the State” address, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo presented bullet points for a comprehensive plan to legalize marijuana. At his address, the Governor promised additional details on the plan would be forthcoming and would include actual legalese to be used in developing legislation.
What’s in the Governor’s recreational marijuana legalization proposal?
Under Cuomo’s proposal, lawmakers would create legislation needed to implement a system for the statewide production and sale of marijuana. An Office of Cannabis Management would be created to oversee the current New York medical marijuana program, and the NY hemp/CBD industry, as well as the proposed recreational market.
Here’s some of what the Governor had to say in his announcement: