Legislature, Cuomo, Still Far Apart On Marijuana Legalization

With only about a month left before Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York legislature must agree on a budget for the next year, the two parties are still far apart on a proposal to legalize adult use marijuana.

Last week, Cuomo amended his legalization proposal, the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation act, in three particular areas. It added provisions to allow for delivery services for marijuana products, reduced felony punishments for illicit sale of marijuana, and outlined some specifics on how particular tax proceeds would be administered for social and racial equity programs.

While Democrats in the legislature say the Cuomo’s amendments are moving in the right direction, they still have significant qualms about the CRTA.