Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The New York Daily News reports:
The sale of recreational marijuana would be legal for adults 21 and older in the Empire State, under a bill top lawmakers agreed to late Saturday. It’s expected to pass both chambers of the legislature as soon as next week.
Coming after years of harsh penalties for marijuana possession — with many New Yorkers of color in particular slapped with life-ruining sentences — the legislation would also expunge criminal records for people who bought or sold quantities that will become legal.
Marijuana Moments has the details:
Adults 21 and older would be able to possess and purchase marijuana products from licensed retailers. There would be no penalties for possession of up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of marijuana concentrates.
Adults could also cultivate up to six plants for personal use, three of which could be mature. A maximum of 12 plants could be grown per household with more than one adult. People with convictions for marijuana-related activity made legal under the legislation would have their records automatically expunged.
Cannabis products would be subject to a state tax of nine percent, plus an additional four percent local tax that would be split between counties and cities/towns/villages, with 75 percent of the local earnings going to the municipalities and 25 percent to the counties.
Another important detail: Police will not be allowed to use the smell of marijuana to justify a search.
We have reached an agreement to legalize adult-use cannabis.
Too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use & sale of cannabis, arbitrarily arrested & jailed. That time is coming to an end.
I look forward to signing this legislation into law.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 28, 2021