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.
#BREAKING: I just signed legislation legalizing adult-use cannabis.
The bill creates automatic expungement of previous marijuana convictions that would now be legal.
This is a historic day.
I thank the Leader and Speaker and the tireless advocacy of so many.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 31, 2021
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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