State officials said Saturday they have reached a final agreement on the legal language needed to legalize adult marijuana in New York.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Senate and Assembly leaders announced the deal on the amended marijuana ordinance and tax law on Saturday night.
The bill, expected to be put to the vote next week, will split revenues from the state’s marijuana industry between schools and public education, communities “disproportionately affected by the drug war” and treatment, prevention programs. and drug education, State Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) said.
Sales of pots to New Yorkers 21 and older are charged a 9 percent sales tax, plus an additional 4 percent tax to be shared between the state and city / town governments; those convicted of selling will have their records automatically deleted and the state’s medical marijuana program will be expanded.
Cuomo said the legislation could bring in $ 350 million in annual taxes and potentially create 30,000 to 60,000 jobs.
“When this bill becomes law, New York will be poised to implement a nationally leading model for what marijuana legalization might look like,” Krueger said.
With pole wires