Cuomo signs New York pot bill, with sales due as soon as 2022
New York is set to become the nation’s second-largest legal marijuana market after Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed legislation allowing the licensing of dispensaries.
Cannabis storefronts will be allowed to open as soon as next year under the measure, which the Legislature cleared Tuesday.
New York is the 16th state to decide to let adults use cannabis, though marijuana stores probably won’t open in New Jersey until next year, and South Dakota’s law is under appeal. The New Mexico Legislature is on track to pass its bill this week. Under New York’s law, adults age 21 and older would be allowed to purchase and consume cannabis.
“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,” Mr. Cuomo said in a statement.
New York’s program is anticipated to generate tens of thousands of jobs and about $4.2 billion in sales, trailing only California, which had about $4.4 billion in sales last year. Cities, towns and villages would have until the end of this year to opt out from having dispensaries and pot cafes in their communities.
The stroke of Mr. Cuomo’s pen sets in motion automatic expungement of records for people with previous cannabis-related convictions for activities that are no longer criminalized.
The bill’s passage was applauded by cannabis companies and civil liberties groups.
“At long last, New York will ensure a diverse and inclusive legal marijuana industry and reinvest in the communities of color that have been devastated by the war on drugs, mass incarceration and a legacy of disproportionate arrests for drug possession,” New York Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement.
Mr. Cuomo and legislative leaders next will focus on hiring staff for a state Cannabis Control Board and Office of Cannabis Management to set regulations for everything from cultivation at home to licensing.
The legislation limits the number of licenses for large corporations, and imposes sales and excise taxes that are estimated to eventually bring in about $350 million a year.
Money raised through a 13% sales tax would be divided between the state (9%) and localities (4%).
Distributors will collect an additional excise tax of as much as 3 cents per milligram of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, using a sliding scale based on the type of product and its potency.
Tax revenue will be used to run and oversee the state cannabis program, with the remaining money divided between programs that try to help people rebuild their lives after marijuana possession arrests, aid for their neighborhoods, education and drug treatment.
Some trade organizations, as well as parent groups and the New York State Catholic Conference condemned the bill’s passage.
“The passage of legislation to legalize possession and consumption of marijuana for recreational use in New York State is terrible policy that sends a message to children that marijuana is harmless fun endorsed by the state. The reality is quite different,” Dennis Poust, the conference’s interim executive director of the state, said in a news release. “The lure of money should never overcome what is best for society, especially children. Sadly, today that is what has occurred in Albany.”
The legislation sets a goal of allocating half of the adultuse licenses to a minority- or woman-owned business, distressed farmers, service-disabled veterans, or “social and economic equity” applicants from communities disproportionately impacted when marijuana was illegal.