Cuomo Pulls Legalized Pot From State Budget

The question whether New York will soon legalize the recreational use of marijuana may have just been answered with a "probably not." Gov. Andrew Cuomo had originally included pot legalization in his 2019-20 budget.

However, full legalization was dropped from the budget Tuesday, leaving in doubt whether it will come to fruition any time in the near future, amNewYork said.

Cuomo suggested that it might still be possible to see recreational marijuana in the state, but it will likely be outside the budget process, leaving up to the Assembly and the Senate.

Leaders in Albany had indicated that creating a way for adults to legally use pot would be better if there wasn't a March 31 budget deadline. There aren't easy answers to such questions as who can grow it, who can distribute it and who can sell it.

New York's fiscal year begins April 1.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, wants some of the sales revenue to help communities that have been impacted by the drug's prohibition and he wants past convictions for minor level possession reviewed, if not expunged, WAER.org said.

If one asks the public, and the people at the Marist Poll did, New Yorkers want to see marijuana legalized.

According to the March 6 NBC 4 New York/Marist Poll, almost six in 10 New Yorkers — 57 percent — support Cuomo's push to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Only 38 percent oppose it.

Not surprisingly, this is a partisan issue, with 65 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of independents in favor of legalization. Sixty percent of Republicans do not support it.

Some communities and legislative bodies aren't waiting for the state to make a decision.

In February, the Suffolk County Legislature had a hearing on the potential legalization of recreational marijuana. The three-hour session heard people raising questions about whether it would adversely or positively impact public health.

Then in March Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said he was poised to introduce a resolution that would put a one-year moratorium in place of the growing and selling of recreational cannabis products county-wide.

In Westchester County, Pleasantville and Somers are both considering local laws that effectively prohibit the sale of recreational pot in their communities.

Should marijuana be legalized in New York for use by adults? Tell us what you think in the comments.