New York is working on legalizing cannabis

The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, mounted a work team to prepare for the eventual legalization of recreational cannabis use following a report which he commissioned in January. The report, which assessed the social, economic and health impact of cannabis legalization, concluded that the benefits outweighed the risks, which could be mitigated by appropriate regulation and targeted education.

Justified legalization

While the governor himself is not a staunch supporter of legalization, the results of the study leave him no choice but to follow the experts' advice and consider a regulated market for recreational cannabis in his state. Such a market would be one of the largest in the country in terms of consumers and revenues. It is estimated at 248$ million with a 7% tax and 677$ million with a 15% tax.

The Governor said, «I have reviewed the report commissioned last January and discussed its findings with Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. The next steps must be taken with care and deliberation. As we work to translate these findings into legislation, we must thoroughly consider all aspects of a cannabis regulation program, including its impact on public health, criminal justice and state revenues, and mitigate the potential risks associated with it. I thank the members of the working team for their time and expertise in developing a model program.

The report emphasized that legalizing recreational cannabis would enable the government to control the market for the sake of public health and justice.

By regulating, the state would control the production, testing, marketing, distribution and sale of cannabis. It would also control licensing and ensure product quality. Through restrictions, it could protect consumers by imposing age and quantity limits.

In terms of justice, a regulated market would put an end to the racial discrimination of anti-cannabis laws and the disproportionate criminalization and incarceration of minorities. The report specifically recommended the creation of a committee of experts.

The working group

The working group is made up of 20 members from a wide range of backgrounds: universities, associations, police forces, legal departments or specialized offices dealing with addiction, risky substances or market development.

Its mission is to design a legal framework for the state's cannabis market and devise the necessary regulations. Its role is purely advisory for the time being, and it will issue recommendations that will then be evaluated by deputies during the next legislative sessions.