Recreational marijuana: Cuomo takes next step toward legalizing it in New York

Jon Campbell | Albany Bureau

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ALBANY - Gov. Andrew Cuomo created a new state panel Thursday that will come up with legislation to legalize marijuana New York, marking the state's latest step toward allowing the drug for recreational purposes.

The 20-person workgroup — filled with Cuomo administration officials, college professors and law enforcement officers — will be tasked with crafting a bill to allow recreational marijuana for state lawmakers to consider when they return to the Capitol in January.

The move Thursday came after the state Department of Health issued a report last month concluding that the "positive effects" of legalization outweigh the "potential negative effects."

The report also estimated that the state could add $248 million to $678 million to its coffers in the first year marijuana is legalized, depending on the price of the drug and the rate it's taxed.

In a statement Thursday, Cuomo said he reviewed the Health Department's report and had spoken to Health Commission Howard Zucker about its findings.

"The next steps must be taken thoughtfully and deliberately," Cuomo said.

"As we work to implement the report's recommendations through legislation, we must thoroughly consider all aspects of a regulated marijuana program, including its impact on public health, criminal justice and state revenue, and mitigate any potential risks associated with it."

Latest step toward legalization

Cuomo has long been wary of legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, calling it a "gateway drug" as recently as last year.

But he has shifted toward favoring legalization this year as bordering states have moved to legalize it, including Massachusetts and Vermont.

He is also facing a primary challenge from Cynthia Nixon, a fellow Democrat who favors legalizing marijuana and accused Cuomo of trying to distract from recent negative headlines.

"Rather than answer reporters questions, Cuomo just plays Trump's distraction game," Nixon said in a statement.

The new marijuana panel includes members of Cuomo's inner circle, including Budget Director Robert Mujica and Counsel Alphonso David, who will lead the group.

It also includes several state agency commissioners such as Zucker, State Police Superintendent George Beach and Acting Tax Commissioner Nonie Manion.

Reaction mixed

Among those outside the Cuomo administration included on the workgroup are David Holtgrave, dean of the University at Albany's School of Public Health, and Brendan Cox, former Albany police chief.

The Drug Policy Alliance, an advocacy organization that favors marijuana legalization, said it was pleased Cuomo created the panel and said the state should ensure people with previous marijuana convictions should have their record wiped clean.

"We are hopeful that as the governor and the Legislature move forward with marijuana policy reform that they recognize that any movement to legalize marijuana must also include broad record clearing provisions, must create a diverse and inclusive industry, and guarantee significant community reinvestment to repair the harm that has been done," Chris Alexander, the group's policy coordinator, said in a statement.

JCampbell1@Gannett.com

Jon Campbell is a correspondent with USA TODAY Network's Albany Bureau.

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