JULY 29, 2019 Albany, NY

Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana Use

Reduces Unlawful Possession of Marijuana to Violation Punishable by a Fine

Creates Process for Individuals Convicted of Certain Marijuana Offenses to Have Records Expunged

Governor Cuomo: "Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by laws governing marijuana for far too long, and today we are ending this injustice once and for all."

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed legislation (S.6579A/A.8420) further decriminalizing marijuana use in New York State. New York's existing marijuana laws disproportionately affect African American and Latino communities, and this legislation will address those racial and ethnic disparities by reducing the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine, and by creating a process for individuals who have been convicted for possessing small amounts of marijuana to have their records expunged. The Governor first proposed the further decriminalization of marijuana in 2013, and again in the FY 2020 Budget. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-legislation-decriminalizing-marijuana-use