Politics
Cuomo Announces New York Marijuana Legalization Study Details
Earlier this year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that he wants the state to conduct an official study on marijuana legalization.
On Tuesday, his administration began revealing details about how the examination of ending prohibition will be conducted.
A list of “key steps” uploaded to the state Department of Health’s website on Tuesday includes items such as reviewing New York’s “experience with illicit marijuana use” and examining the impact of legalization in other states.
It also details certain areas of special focus, including health, criminal justice and the economy.
However, the new webpage has no timetable for the study or information on who will be involved in conducting it.
The move comes as Cuomo is facing intensifying pressure on the issue from Democratic primary opponent Cynthia Nixon, who supports legalization.
Joel Giambra, a former Republican Erie County executive who is mounting an independent bid to challenge Cuomo’s reelection this year, also backs legalization.
Cuomo had initially included the legalization review in his budget proposal, but lawmakers rejected that. Now, state officials are using funds to do the study anyway.
New York Lawmakers Divided On Marijuana Legalization Study Proposal
Cuomo has long been an opponent of legalization, going so far as to call marijuana a “gateway drug.”
This month he rejected the notion that New York is lagging behind other states on marijuana.
“I think we’re actually ahead on it,” he said. “We announced months ago that we were going to study the legalization issue precisely for that reason… On this issue there are many opinions, there are many cultural opinions, there’s a lot of division in the legislature and what we said is, let’s get the facts and let’s make the decision on the facts. I’m trying to depoliticize the issue.”
PolitiFact said on Tuesday that the claim New York is “ahead” of other states is false.
“Nine other states have already legalized recreational marijuana,” the site said. “Other states have also taken steps toward legalization that New York state has not. New Jersey’s governor has called on the legislature to legalize the drug, while voters in Michigan are expected to decide on legalization later this year. We rate his claim False.”
Last week Cuomo seemed to reject the notion that marijuana laws are enforced on a racially disproportionate basis.
“Do I think there’s a different level of compliance or enforcement, and that would be a different question,” he said. “But as a matter of fact or as a matter of law it’s illegal if you’re white or whatever.”
A Siena College poll released on Tuesday found that New York voters support legalizing marijuana, 52 percent to 44 percent.
Photo courtesy of Zack Seward.
