News
Will New York Finally Legalize Recreational Cannabis This Year?
New York State, which is still in the
public comment period for proposed regulations for its new medical cannabis
market, may still move the needle forward on recreational reform this year
too.&nbs
ew York State, which is still in the
public comment period for proposed regulations for its new medical cannabis
market, may still move the needle forward on recreational reform this year
too. A new bill introduced by State
Senator Liz Krueger would create the basic infrastructure to do so. The Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act
would legalize the entire chain of the recreational industry and allow
individuals over the age of 18 to possess recreational cannabis.
With that said, this is a story New York— like California— has heard before.
Unlike California, Colorado and Washington
State for example, New York State residents do not get to vote on ballot
initiatives. All such initiatives must
be approved by the state legislature. This however, is only one reason for the
glacial pace of reform in New York. Like
California, New York has long been a pro-cannabis state with residents
overwhelmingly showing supporting for both medical and recreational use for
well over two decades. However, the
politics of cannabis legality have prevailed. As a result, this newest measure
is a good sign that legalization is still a hot topic and will likely see its
day coming very soon.
