New York Governor Includes Cannabis Legalization in Budget Plan

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap] new budget proposal has been announced by the state of New York and it includes legalizing recreational cannabis.

According to Marijuana Moment, Gov. Andrew Cuomo included cannabis legalization in his budget proposal on Jan. 21, which sets things up for another legalization push during the 2020 legislative session.

Cuomo put a similar plan in his budget last year but then decided to drop it, as it became clear that no one could agree how to best legalize and regulate cannabis. He’s hopeful that this year will be different. As his new proposal points out, the state of New York could collect $20 million in revenue in 2021, $63 million in 2022 and as much as $188 in 2025.

“Legalize adult use cannabis,” Cuomo said during his budget speech, according to Marijuana Moment. “I believe it is best done in the budget. I said that last year. I believe the budget is the opportunity, frankly, to make some tough decisions and work through tough issues that without the budget can often languish, and I suggest that we get it done in the budget.”

Cuomo’s proposal mentions the importance of budgeting in regards to cannabis’ future in New York. “The Budget regulates and controls the production, distribution, transportation, and sale of cannabis, cannabis related products and medical cannabis within the NYS, for the purposes of fostering and promoting temperance in their consumption, to properly protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to promote social equity,” the proposal states.

As the 2020 legislative session starts in New York, cannabis use in the state is at an all-time high, and there is a lot of support for legalizing and studying cannabis. This also goes hand-in-hand with how opioid addiction is being treated in the state.