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“The positive effects of a regulated marijuana

By Michael V. Cusenza

The findings of an exhaustive State investigation support legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

“The positive effects of a regulated marijuana market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts,” New York Health officials wrote in the “Assessment of the Potential Impact of Regulated Marijuana in New York State,” released on Friday. “Areas that may be a cause for concern can be mitigated with regulation and proper use of public education that is tailored to address key populations. Incorporating proper metrics and indicators will ensure rigorous and ongoing evaluation.”

The 74-page analysis, developed by numerous State agencies and subject matter experts in the fields of public health, mental health, substance use, public safety, transportation, and economics, is currently being reviewed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Although Cuomo had for years indicated that he would not support any legislation calling for legalizing cannabis for recreational use, in his January 2018 budget address, he directed State agencies to evaluate the health, public safety, and economic impact of legalizing marijuana. The experience of legalized marijuana in surrounding states was identified as an important issue to consider in the impact assessment because the status quo in NY is changing as the State shares borders with some jurisdictions that have legalized marijuana and some that are likely to legalize soon, such as New Jersey.

According to the assessment:

• Regulation of marijuana benefits public health by enabling government oversight of the production, testing, labeling, distribution, and sale of marijuana. The creation of a regulated marijuana program would enable New York to better control licensing, ensure quality control and consumer protection, and set age and quantity restrictions.

• The Empire State would be one of the largest potential regulated marijuana markets in the United States. As such, there is potential for substantial tax revenue in New York, which can be used to help support program initiatives in areas such as public health, education, transportation, research, law enforcement, and workforce development. Tax revenues can also support community reinvestment in health care and employment.

• Historically, marijuana criminalization has had a profound impact on communities of color and has led to disproportionate targeting of certain populations for arrest and prosecution. The over-prosecution of marijuana has significant negative economic, health, and safety impacts that have disproportionately affected low-income communities of color. Legalization of marijuana will address this important social justice issue.

• The development of the assessment involved discussions of myriad issues that relate to implementation of a legalized marijuana program, rather than the impact, State officials noted. Much of the impact of a regulated marijuana program is contingent on program implementation. While some implementation issues have been described in the assessment, further exploration will be required should the State move toward legalization.

A regulated marijuana market in New York could have a positive impact on the opioid crisis, the assessment also noted. According to officials, studies of some states with medical marijuana programs and/or regulated adult-use have found notable associations of reductions in opioid deaths and opioid prescribing with the availability of marijuana products. Additionally, following legalization of adult-use marijuana in Colorado, the state saw a short-term reversal of the upward trend in opioid-related deaths.

market in NYS outweigh the potential negative impacts,” the State Department of Health wrote in its report.