New York state agrees to legalise use of recreational marijuana

Another US state looks set to legalise cannabis.

Polticians in New York have agreed to legalise the use of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. The draft law would provide licensing for marijuana producers, distributors, retailers, and others in the cannabis market. For personal possession outside of the home, people would be permitted to carry up to three ounces of cannabis. While the limits of what is permitted in the home are still being amended, any marijuana must be kept in a secure location away from children. In terms of home growing, adults would be allowed up to three mature plants and three immature plants - with a limit of six mature plants and six immature plants per household. Anyone with a previous marijuana conviction that would now be legal under the law would have their records cleared. Also under the agreement, the list of medical conditions with which patients are permitted to access medical marijuana would be expanded, while patients could grow their own plants at home. A portion of the money from cannabis taxes would go towards drug treatment and education.

A statement from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's office said the development of an adult-use cannabis industry in New York has the potential to create "significant economic opportunities".

Tax collections from the adult-use cannabis program are projected to reach $350 million annually, while there is the potential for this new industry to create 30,000 to 60,000 new jobs in the state.

Cuomo said: "For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalised for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences.

"After years of tireless advocacy and extraordinarily hard work, that time is coming to an end in New York State."

He added: "Legalising adult-use cannabis isn't just about creating a new market that will provide jobs and benefit the economy - it's also about justice for long-marginalised communities and ensuring those who've been unfairly penalised in the past will now get a chance to benefit. I look forward to signing this legislation into law."

Once the legislation passes, New York will join 14 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing the use of cannabis.