New York governor signs bill decriminalizing marijuana use
The new bill, approved by New York’s state legislature earlier this year, will reduce unlawful marijuana possession to a misdemeanor punishable by a fine.
Possession under two ounces will not be met with criminal penalties.
It also establishes a process for individuals with certain marijuana convictions to have their records cleared both retroactively and for future convictions, a major sticking point for criminal justice reform advocates.
The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.
Cuomo previously proposed decriminalizing marijuana in 2013.