New York votes to legalize cannabis

New York State is one step closer to legalizing cannabis, according to an unpublished study commissioned by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, which will recommend that the state allow adults to use cannabis legally, said the State Health Commissioner on Monday.

Howard Zucker's announcement marks a radical change for the administration of Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat who only last year declared cannabis to be a «gateway drug».

«We looked at the pros, we looked at the cons, and when we finished, we realized that the pros outweighed the cons,» Dr. Zucker said, adding, «we based it on new facts.»

The report's findings could prompt New York to join the 9 other US states that have already legalized cannabis for adults. Neighboring states such as New Jersey or the Massachusetts have also begun to legalize cannabis.

Even with the support of the current governor, cannabis legalization won't happen overnight. Legal issues aside, the Senate is Republican-majority, although this could change in the upcoming November elections. Mr. Cuomo already has them in mind, his opponent in the upcoming primaries, Cynthia Nixon, having already taken up the theme of cannabis legalization. Mr Cuomo has long opposed any progress on the subject.

New York State legalized the medical use of cannabis in 2014, with very restrictive access to cannabis. The therapeutic cannabis program has gradually opened up, and recently authorized cannabis prescriptions for people addicted to opiates. Cannabis flowers are not yet legally accessible to patients.

The New York City Police Department recently indicated that it would no longer arrest citizens for simple cannabis use, unless they were already known for other offences.