More than a year ago, this page came out in support of the legalization of recreational marijuana, on the ground that keeping the drug illegal fed indefensible racial disparities in policing and punishment, with no public health benefit.
After fits and starts, as the session draws to a close, the Assembly and Senate have a chance to make New York only the second state to legalize use of the drug through the legislative process. We urge all sides to get it done, because the bill under consideration makes a series of responsible choices about how to structure the legal cannabis market.
We recommended that a big chunk of the revenue generated from new taxes be dedicated to combating addiction and abuse. The framework around which legislators and the governor appear to be coalescing would earmark 25% of revenues (beyond program costs) to treatment programs and public education campaigns; it allows for enhanced police training to recognize impairment. We’d like to see that nudged higher, but it’s a good start.