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Summary

New York State Just Legalized Recreational Marijuana

It is the 15th state to do so.
Contributor

made history by becoming the 15th state in the U.S. to legalize recreational marijuana.

Governor Andrew Cuomo officially signed the new legislation into law on Wednesday, which allows all adults over the age of 21 in the state to purchase, grow, and use cannabis, according to the New York Times.

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"For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of color with harsh prison sentences and after years of hard work, this landmark legislation provides justice for long-marginalized communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy, and establishes substantial safety guards for the public," Cuomo said in a statement.

Unfortunately for those eager to get out and buy cannabis products, the legal sale of marijuana will not be kicking off right away, as it will take time to establish how the state will regulate sales.

Starting today, the bill will erase the records of those with past marijuana convictions that are no longer criminalized, and allow people to publicly smoke weed wherever tobacco is also permitted.

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