Assemblyman Anthony D’Urso recently attended a day-long hearing, held in the New York State Assembly’s hearing room at 250 Broadway in Manhattan, which was held to get input from experts about the State’s proposal to legalize, regulate and therefore tax marijuana usage for adults.
A report was recently produced by the NYS Department of Health assessing the impacts on health, criminal justice and the economy of having legalized and regulated marijuana. For the study, the Health Department received input from state agencies in the areas of health, criminal justice and public safety, economics, and education. After reading the study, the governor formed a workgroup to further study its use.
“I am listening to statements on all sides before I make a decision on how I will vote on this issue,” said D’Urso.
Possessing a small amount of marijuana in New York state was decriminalized in 1977. If someone was caught with a small amount, they only have pay a fine. More recently, New York has decrimalized marijuana for use to treat certain medical conditions.
Even though possessing a small amount has been decriminalized, many people still continue to get arrested for possession. The arrest record has prevented those people from gainful employment.
Now, New York has begun to look at legalizing and regulating its use for adults, following several other states and Canada.
