ALBANY - New York's Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo may not be able to hammer out a deal on legalizing adult-use marijuana in the next two months, according to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

In remarks Thursday following a criminal justice event in Manhattan, the speaker discounted the possibility of legislative leaders agreeing to a framework for legalization in the budget that is due on March 31. The comment generated disappointment from some advocates, who are hoping the issue can be tackled during the budget process.

He clarified in a subsequent tweet that he hadn't ruled out the possibility of accomplishing legalization in the budget, but that he was "not optimistic." "I want to get it right, rather than beat a 'time clock,'" he tweeted.

"At this moment the governor's proposal and the Legislature's have differences," Heastie tweeted. "We have to reconcile them while at the same time trying to agree on a $177 (billion) budget with all the challenges that presents as well."

In response to the backlash, he added, "Being honest and saying six weeks may not be enough time to come up with regulations, deal with economic impact on communities and the criminal justice aspects, somehow gets reactions of outrage instead of understanding and acknowledgement of the commitment to get this done."

The desire for a cautious and deliberate approach is shared by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy, D-Albany, who isn't ready to support marijuana legalization yet. Her concerns include youth access to marijuana, mental health effects of marijuana and the challenge of detecting marijuana use by drivers.

"To try to do this in six weeks is way too ambitious," she said.

Fahy would prefer that state government first focus on decriminalizing marijuana and coming up with a process for expunging low-level marijuana convictions from the criminal records of New Yorkers. "That alone is a Herculean task," she said.

Mental health advocates this week raised their own concerns about recreational marijuana. The Mental Health Association of New York State cited concerns about potential addiction and whether marijuana use can interfere with neurological development in young people.

The proposal unveiled by the governor, which was based on recommendations from a task force he convened, would create an Office of Cannabis Management to oversee the industry and prohibit marijuana use by anyone under 21. It would also automatically seal low-level marijuana offenses on a person's criminal record and allow counties to ban retail marijuana stores. Cuomo estimated it could eventually generate more than $300 million in tax revenue.

The governor's plan directs revenues toward the administration of the program; data gathering, monitoring and reporting; a traffic safety committee; small business development and loans; substance abuse treatment, harm reduction and mental health treatment and prevention; public health education and intervention; research on cannabis uses and applications; and program evaluation and improvements.

The number of producers and retail dispensaries would be limited, and New Yorkers would not be allowed to grow their own marijuana for recreational use.

David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87