legalized marijuana Rhode Island

New York legalizes recreational marijuana

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in New York making New York the 15th state to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. The law will also expunge the criminal records of people previously convicted of crimes that would be legal under the new law.

New Yorkers will immediately be allowed to possess up to three ounces of cannabis for recreational purposes but legal recreational sales are not expected to begin for one or two years.

“This is a historic day in New York — one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State’s economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits,” Cuomo said in a statement.

The potential $4.2 billion industry will mean $350 million in tax revenue for the state and 60,000 jobs to the state when the industry is fully established.


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