Andrew Cuomo calls for legalization of recreational marijuana in New York
ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. Andrew Cuomo called Monday for the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in New York, saying it was beyond time for the state to deal with the "debilitating criminal stigma" of prior convictions related to the drug.
Cuomo, a Democrat, delivered his most forceful support for legalization during a speech in Manhattan laying out his agenda for the first 100 days of 2019, vowing to allow marijuana for recreational use in the nation's fourth-largest state.
It was the culmination of Cuomo's slow crawl toward supporting legalization of marijuana, which he had opposed as recently as last year, when he called it a "gateway drug."
"Let's legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all," Cuomo said during the speech at the New York City Bar Association.
Marijuana legalization is expected to become a major topic of conversation when the state Legislature returns to the Capitol in January.
For the first time since Cuomo took office in 2011, both houses of the Legislature will be controlled by Democrats.
Dec. 11: Chicago mayor wants to legalize marijuana, open casino to deal with city's pension crisis
Sept. 30: Marijuana reform: New California law gives people with records a do-over
Key supporters of marijuana legalization will be in major roles in the Legislature, with incoming Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger, a Democrat from Manhattan, and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Democrat from Buffalo, sponsoring a bill that would make it happen.
Cuomo had previously set up a task force to craft a bill allowing legalization. Last month, Cuomo said he expects that bill to be completed early next year.
In July, the state Department of Health issued a report finding the benefits of marijuana legalization outweigh the potential drawbacks.
Cuomo directed the Health Department to take on the study last January, which began his gradual acceptance of legalization after opposing it for years.
Ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana for adults.
Follow Jon Campbell on Twitter: @JonCampbellGAN
March 18: Dope for dogs: N.Y. lawmaker pushing medical marijuana for pets
Jan. 18: New York to look at legalizing recreational marijuana