It's Official: Recreational use of Cannabis is now legal in New York State

by druginc

It's Official: Recreational use of Cannabis is now legal in New York State

Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill to legalize recreational cannabis in New York State.

With immediate effect, smoking recreational cannabis must now be treated legally, with a similar approach to cigarettes. Law enforcement has been given new orders on how to respond to cannabis use, and for the cannabis community, this is definitely a breath of fresh air.

Legal framework

Medicinal cannabis was previously legalized in New York State. This new law will further expand the state's current program and allow the creation of both adult-use and cannabinoid hemp programs.

Implementation will take one to two years and then retail sales will begin. Governor Cuomo's government estimates that recreational cannabis legalization could ultimately increase state revenues by more than € 250 million ($ 300 million) per year. In addition, the emergence of these new industries has the potential to create up to 60.000 jobs nationwide.

Smoking weed in public, on sidewalks or on the sidewalk now possible in New York State (fig.)
Smoking weed in public, on sidewalks or on the sidewalk now possible in New York State (afb.)

Smoking weed in public

New York State may not be the first to legalize recreational cannabis, but they do it a bit differently. A change in law is the new permission for the public smoking of cannabis.

The bottom line is, if you are legally allowed to smoke a cigarette, you can also legally smoke a joint. Smoking is currently prohibited on parks and beaches and that is not going to change. But if you walk elsewhere and feel the urge to light up a joint, the police will leave you alone.

Once the new laws went into effect, the local police force NYPD released a four-page memo detailing their new orders among the police officers regarding how to respond to cannabis use.

According to the memo, it is stated: “Smoking marijuana is no longer a basis for an approach, stop, subpoena, arrest or search. New Yorkers who smoke marijuana on sidewalks or the sidewalk are protected by law. “

Sensible changes for New York

There have been some other immediate legislative changes and most of them include enforcement protocols. The NYPD will be instructed to change the way they respond to 1-to-1 sales.

  • The smell of cannabis is no longer a reason to search a car. Unless the driver appears to be physically under the influence, the smell of cannabis alone is no reason for further investigation.
  • There is a maximum allowable amount of 3 oz or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis per person
  • If no payment or other compensation is visible, an exchange of cannabis is not considered a sale. In fact, sharing is possible, but buying is trading.
  • All criminal records for cannabis possession, including past convictions, must be immediately deleted
  • Cannabis-related crimes should no longer be considered a criminal matter

The state of New York was previously an area of ​​a fierce war on drugs, with strict laws tearing communities apart. In a statement after signing this law, Governor Cuomo explained the reasoning behind these groundbreaking changes:

“The prohibition of cannabis has for too long been disproportionately targeting communities of color with severe jail terms and after years of hard work, this groundbreaking legislation provides justice to long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and proposes substantial security safeguards. public. New York has a storied history as the nation's progressive capital USA, and this important legislation will continue that legacy again. “

There also is a official website launched with education about cannabis use in New York State.

Sources including CannabisLifeNetwork (EN), N.B.C. (EN), UrbanCNY (EN)

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