New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday signed legislation further decriminalizing marijuana use in New York State. The bill softens penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and allows for the expungement of some past convictions.
Cuomo first proposed the measure in 2013, and again in the FY 2020 Budget. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.
Cuomo said by providing individuals who have suffered the consequences of an unfair marijuana conviction with a path to have their records expunged and by reducing what he called draconian penalties, he is taking a critical step forward in addressing a broken and discriminatory criminal justice process.
By Michael Baldwin
