A drive to include adult-use cannabis legalization in the New York Legislature’s 2019 state budget failed last month. There was a dispute over taxes and the framework that an industry would take, but conservative lawmakers also played a role in killing it off.
Sponsors of the legislation are now working on introducing a new bill that they hope stands a better chance of passing into law.
Many supporters of legalizing recreational marijuana in New York say they're still optimistic that lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo can work out a deal this year. But time is beginning to run out.
Cuomo initially wanted a provision legalizing cannabis to be included in the state budget passed April 1. He withdrew it after it became obvious lawmakers couldn't resolve thorny questions about the details of the legislation.
Now, those same devilish details could prevent a vote before lawmakers wrap up their session next month.
Even a cursory look at Andrew Cuomo’s record as New York Governor will reveal that he has been anything but a champion of progressive drug policy. As recently as 2017, Cuomo was still reacting to calls for legalization with anti-marijuana talking points and gateway theory. But the 2018 midterm elections changed the calculus. Facing more progressive challengers, and holding a Health Department report recommending adult-use legalization and full, retroactive decriminalization, Cuomo had to pivot his stance.