Ready to spark up your weed stash, lean back in the couch with some snacks and binge watch your favorite streaming television series?

While you might shut the blinds today, at some point, you may be able to smoke the stuff legally in New York state. The state is gathering public opinion on legalizing marijuana and will be in Vestal at Binghamton University on Tuesday to hear community thoughts.

Seventeen "listening sessions" on regulated marijuana are making their way through New York state. Tuesday's session will be in Conference Room COE-1105 at Binghamton University. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

In January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged the state Department of Health to conduct a study in consultation with other state agencies to review the health, criminal justice and economic impacts of a regulated marijuana program. Select members of the group who developed the report will be in attendance at the listening session.

This included the implications for New York that result from marijuana legalization in other states. Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine and Washington, D.C., allow the recreational use of marijuana.

In neighboring Vermont, a person over 21 can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, six plants per household and 5 grams of hash or concentrate. This law became effective July 1.

The current New York penal law reads that possession of 1 ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor that could result in three months of jail time and/or a fine.

Possession of 1 ounce of marijuana concentrates is a felony, and could be punishable by up to 15 years in prison. A person in possession in a quarter-ounce of concentrates could face seven years in prison, based on current law.

In contrast, Oregon allows up to 72 ounces of liquid-infused concentrates without penalty.

"Over the past 20 years, there have been more than 800,000 arrests for marijuana possession, and the increasing emphasis on minor marijuana arrests has had a disproportionate impact on communities of color," according to the New York report.

The 75 page report can be read in full below.

The report said it's not a question of whether the state will legalize marijuana, but how it can do so in a responsible manner.

"The positive effects of regulating an adult (21 and older) marijuana market in N.Y. outweigh the potential negative impacts," according to the report. "Harm reduction principles can and should be incorporated into a regulated marijuana program to help ensure consumer and industry safety."

"Substantial" tax dollars could be raised by legalization, according to the report. "Revenues can be used to help support program initiatives in areas such as public health, education, transportation, research, law enforcement and workforce development."

Easier access to marijuana also could reduce the use of opioids, thereby potentially reducing opioid-related deaths and opioid prescribing, the state's workgroup concluded.

"Across the country, individuals who are black are nearly four times more likely than individuals who are white to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite data showing equal use among racial groups," the report stated.

One concern of approving a regulated marijuana plan is the impact on driving. This is an issue that Cuomo and all involved departments will continue to monitor and discuss.

In New York, the state estimated up to 1.29 million residents would access the legal market the first year after legalization of marijuana. If marijuana is sold at $270 per ounce, the market is estimated to be approximately $1.7 billion.

"Based on varying assumptions pertaining to price and usage rates, the estimated potential total state and local tax revenue in the first year range from $248.1 million (with a 7 percent tax rate) to $677.7 million (with a 15 percent tax rate)," read the findings in the report.

The Oct. 2 listening session is an opportunity for area residents to ask questions and share opinions regarding possession amounts, driving while under the influence of marijuana, potential tax revenues, or any other question that may come to mind.

The event is free to attend, but those interested are encouraged to register here.

By Tuesday, nine sessions in New York state will have been held. Here is the list and registration information of what remains:

Buffalo: Wednesday, Oct. 3 — Holiday Inn Buffalo International Airport, 4600 Genesee Street, Cheektowga, Liberty Ballroom.

Wednesday, Oct. 3 — Holiday Inn Buffalo International Airport, 4600 Genesee Street, Cheektowga, Liberty Ballroom. Rochester: Thursday, Oct. 4 — 123 E. Main St., Highland Ballroom.

Thursday, Oct. 4 — 123 E. Main St., Highland Ballroom. Syracuse: Tuesday, Oct. 9 — DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse, 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse.

Tuesday, Oct. 9 — DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse, 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse. Utica: Wednesday, Oct. 10 — Holiday Inn Utica, 1777 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, Grand Ballroom.

Wednesday, Oct. 10 — Holiday Inn Utica, 1777 Burrstone Road, New Hartford, Grand Ballroom. Watertown: Thursday, Oct. 11 — SUNY Jefferson, 1220 Coffeen St. Sturtz Theater.

Thursday, Oct. 11 — SUNY Jefferson, 1220 Coffeen St. Sturtz Theater. Suffolk-Long Island: Tuesday, Oct. 16 — Clarion Conference Center, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, Crystal Ballroom.

Tuesday, Oct. 16 — Clarion Conference Center, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, Crystal Ballroom. Westchester County: Wednesday, Oct. 17 — Radisson New Rochelle, One Radisson Plaza, New Rochelle, Social Room.

More:NJ marijuana legalization: Will legal weed put money in your pocket?

More:Vermont's legal marijuana law: What you should know

More:Vt. House gives marijuana bill a clear path to governor's desk

More:How Vermont law compares to Maine, Massachusetts and other states

More:Vermont marijuana: 'Gifting' delivery businesses crop up

More:Vermont towns have limited options to regulate marijuana, for now

More:Vermont's legal marijuana era dawns

Follow Ashley Biviano on Twitter at @Ashley_Biviano. Support our journalism and become a digital subscriber today. Click here for our special offers.