According to CNN, New York State lawmakers have reached a deal to legalize recreational marijuana, with a bill likely to be passed this week.
Even so, it may well be a year before the bill finally becomes law and allows people over the age of 21 to grow marijuana at home and possess small quantities for their own use. Additionally, a 13% tax would be added to retail sales for state and local tax revenue.
The move follows the approval by New Jersey to legalize and regulate marijuana in a bill passed last month. It seems likely that in both cases the laws will include provisions to decriminalize possession of limited amounts of marijuana and clarify marijuana and cannabis use and possession penalties for those younger than 21.
A new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) will be developed in New York that will oversee the issue of licenses for all areas of the supply chain from growing, processing, distribution, dispensaries, and retail “consumption” sites. The OCM will also be responsible for overseeing the regulation of the adult-use and medical cannabis programs. The development and agreement of how licenses will be awarded and how law enforcement will be affected is probably one of the reasons it may take another twelve months before legalization becomes a fact of life for New Yorkers.
It is most likely that a new range of criminal penalties for unlawful possession and sale of cannabis, including a violation for three ounces of flower or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis and a Class D felony for more than 10 pounds of flower or four pounds of concentrated cannabis.
So good news for those living in New York and for those who want to grow their own supplies rather than buying their requirements at dispensaries. And with a year or so before the law finally comes into effect plenty of time to learn all the necessary requirements for growing marijuana, and harvesting, preparation, and consumption.
You can read the full report here.
If you will be a beginner you won’t go far wrong if you download our FREE Beginners Guide and get yourself ready to plant and harvest your first buds.
