New York Senate passes bill to legalize recreational marijuana

The New York state Senate passed a measure that would legalize recreational marijuana Tuesday night, the Albany Times Union reported.

The bill, which is estimated to help bring in $350 million in annual revenue for New York, passed the Senate in a 40-23 vote Tuesday night. Three Democrats joined Republicans in voting against the bill.

The measure is also expected to pass the Assembly later Tuesday night, the Times Union noted.

The vote comes three days after New York lawmakers reached an agreement over the legalization. New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the agreement, which also paved the way for the creation of the Office of Cannabis Management, Saturday.

“For generations, too many New Yorkers have been unfairly penalized for the use and sale of adult-use cannabis, arbitrarily arrested and jailed with harsh mandatory minimum sentences,” Cuomo said in a press release.

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

The new measure allows up to 3 ounces of cannabis and 24 ounces of cannabis concentrate to be outside the home and allows New Yorkers to keep up to three mature and three immature cannabis plants at home. 

Those previously charged with marijuana use or possession will automatically have their convictions expunged.