New York Is On The brink Legalizing Marijuana
New York lawmakers are finalizing an agreement to legalize recreational marijuana sales to adults over the age of 21, a state legislative leader said Wednesday.
Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the second-highest ranking Democrat in the chamber, said the bill is being drafted and will likely be brought up for a vote next week. Legislative sources also said that a vote next week was likely.
“An agreement is imminently close, we hope to resolve any final bill language issues over the next few days as we await the final print version of the bill to vote on next week,” Peoples-Stokes told The Associated Press in a statement.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said that they are hoping to get language finalized on parts of the bill “in the next day or so.”
New York has come close to passing marijuana legalization several times in recent years, but has been unable to finalize a deal. At least 14 states have legalized recreational marijuana.
Past sticking points for legalization in New York have included lack of support from suburban Democrats and concerns over how to address drivers suspected of driving high. It was unclear Wednesday evening how any agreement would address impaired driving. Stewart-Cousins also mentioned an “impasse” regarding impaired driving, but believes that they have found a solution there.