New York state lawmakers today passed a bill to legalize adult-use marijuana, making New York the 15th state in the U.S. to allow recreational use of marijuana.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he looks forward to signing the bill, saying in a statement, “New York has a reputation as the progressive capital of the country, and this important bill will once again continue that tradition.”
The New York State Senate passed the bill by a vote of 40 to 23. The House of Representatives voted 100 to 49 to pass the bill.
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which supports marijuana use, applauded the decision, saying that tens of thousands of people, mostly young people, poor people and people of color, are arrested in New York State each year on frivolous marijuana charges.
In a statement, New York State Attorney General Letitia James said, “Marijuana legalization is a racial and justice imperative, and today’s vote is an important step toward a fairer and more just system.”
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