NY Becomes 15th State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Updated 11:07 a.m. to reflect Cuomo signed the bill.

NEW YORK CITY — A swipe of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's pen turned New York into the 15th state to legalize recreational marijuana.

Cuomo on Wednesday signed the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — a bill passed by state lawmakers that allows people 21 and other to use weed legally.

Cuomo, in a statement, hailed it as a progressive victory.

"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," he said.

#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

The signature makes New York the 15th state where marijuana is legal — it would have been 16th, but a legalization measure in South Dakota has yet to be enacted amid a legal dispute.

The bill allows personal possession of 3 ounces of cannabis outside the home and requires marijuana in the home be kept in a secure location away from children.

It also sets up legal structures for producing and selling cannabis, along with an Office of Cannabis Management to deal with regulations. Cities towns and villages can opt-out of retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses by passing local laws, but they can't halt adult-use legalization.

Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he hopes that large corporations don't take over the would-be cannabis industry. He hopes New York City's legal weed scene is much more focused on small business.

"I hope it becomes something localized, much more of a small business focus," he said. "And that's what we're going to work on. And we also want to make sure that there's as much local discretion as possible on issues like citing. That that's still up in the air, honestly."

State Sen. Liz Krueger, who represents parts of Manhattan, led the legislative charge to pass legal weed. She framed the bill as a chance to end a prohibition that hit Black, Brown and other people of color hardest.

About 40 percent of state revenue from cannabis sales will be channeled back into the hardest-hit communities, she said.

"It also puts 20% of the revenue into drug treatment and education, and 40% into our public schools," she said in a statement. "Not to mention building a multi-billion dollar industry for New York that encourages small businesses and farms while balancing safety with economic growth."