Governor Cuomo has signed a bill that legalizes recreational marijuana in New York state. Part of the new law would ensure that at least 50% of marijuana licenses would go to underserved communities who were most hurt by marijuana laws. The bill would also automatically erase most marijuana-related convictions. New York is now the 15th state in the nation to legalize recreational pot use.
Members of the state Senate and Assembly passed the bill late Tuesday night following several hours of debate. The legislation allows New Yorkers over the age of 21 to legally possess under three ounces of marijuana and clears the way for retail sales of the drug to happen in about 18 months.