The legalization of recreational marijuana continues to spread across the US after New York State lawmakers reached a deal to legalize the popular plant, CNN reported Thursday, citing a legislative source familiar with negotiations who said lawmakers were finalizing bill language to be passed next week.
According to an internal legislative memo obtained by the news outlet, “The Cannabis Law” legislation would create a new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) controlled by a Cannabis Control Board.
The proposal would allow New Yorkers over the age of 21 to grow their own plants in their homes, and a 13% tax would be tacked on to retail sales for state and local tax revenue.
New York officials would issue licenses for different steps of the supply chain — farming, processing, distribution, dispensaries and retail “consumption” sites, the memo says, according to CNN.
The legislation follows marijuana legalization in neighboring New Jersey. Last month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed bills to legalize and regulate marijuana use for those 21 and older, decriminalize possession of limited amounts of marijuana and clarify marijuana and cannabis use and possession penalties for those younger than 21.
Like New Jersey, Arizona, South Dakota and Montana also voted to legalize recreational marijuana. Mississippi voted to legalize medical marijuana, becoming one of the first southern states to do so.
