Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Wednesday, March 31, passed by state lawmakers the night before, to legalize recreational marijuana in New York state.
The New York State Senate voted Tuesday evening 40-23 to pass the legislation and later that night, the state Assembly voted 100-49 in favor of the bill. The new legislation makes New York the 15th state, along with Washington D.C., to have legalized cannabis for recreational use.
“For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences and after years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public,” stated Cuomo to The Associated Press.
Jim Jones also checked in with TMZ and weighed in on his state legalizing recreational marijuana use.
“It feels good. As a kid coming up in New York City smoking weed and running around in the city trying to dodge the cops…And getting locked up, numerous amounts of times over something that was so senseless, so to where we’re at in 2021 actually feels good,” stated the Dipset rapper.
“I wish it would’ve happened sooner but the fact that it happened is very powerful and strong. Not just for the smoking weed purposes, but also for the business purposes. And all of the jobs that it will create in our communities for people in the marijuana business and those that want to get into it,” he continued.
Jones also believes that those imprisoned for marijuana convictions should be released from jail and have their records expunged. He believes it will take a lot of legislation, but he’d endorse the cause.
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