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New York is about to legalize cannabis

2021-03-28T15:49:24.479Z


Soon all New Yorkers over the age of 21 will be able to buy marijuana and grow some plants themselves. Other US states have already taken this step.


Enlarge image

Demo for the legalization of cannabis in New York 2018

Photo: VIEW press / Corbis via Getty Images

After years of controversy, New York State could soon legalize marijuana use.

The Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo and members of the Albany State Parliament have reached an agreement on this matter.

A corresponding law could be passed in the next few days.

"The legalization of cannabis in New York will focus on justice, investing in communities, economic opportunities for historically disenfranchised people, research, education and public safety," said Albany majority leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes on Sunday night .

She is excited about the positive effects that legalization will have for many New Yorkers.

New York with its almost 20 million inhabitants - and the metropolis of the same name - would be the 15th US state to allow marijuana for free use.

For some years now, it has been approved for medical purposes there.

Set up licenses, develop standards

In the future, all New Yorkers who are at least 21 years old will then be able to purchase cannabis and also grow some plants themselves.

Before the sale starts, it will probably take a few more months.

First, licenses would have to be set up and further standards developed, reports the news agency AP.

According to estimates, a billion-dollar market could emerge in the coming years, generating $ 350 million a year in additional tax revenue.

The state wants to raise at least nine percent sales tax on cannabis, it said.

Another reason for legalization is to fight structural racism: the current cannabis laws in New York had discriminated against non-whites.

Although consumption is more or less evenly distributed, blacks were many times more likely to be arrested for marijuana offenses.

Skeptics, on the other hand, warn that the health system, which is already strained by Covid-19, could be further burdened and wrong signals could be sent to young people.

In the middle of the corona pandemic in particular, the new law was "harmful," wrote doctors, parents and other interest groups two weeks ago in a joint statement.

The authorities have announced an awareness campaign aimed at schoolchildren.

In addition, schools should be able to apply for funding in order to raise awareness of irresponsible drug use.

lov / AP / dpa

Source: spiegel

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