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                    NY Latest State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana   
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       New York is Latest State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana   
      
       New York adults over the age of 21 can now possess and use   
       marijuana - even in public - under a legalization bill signed   
       Wednesday by Gov.  Andrew Cuomo, though legal sales of   
       recreational-use cannabis wonCÇÖt start for an estimated 18 months   
       until regulations are set.   
      
       Passed after several years of stalled efforts, the measure makes   
       New York the 16th state to legalize adult use of the drug,   
       though South DakotaCÇÖs measure is in legal limbo.   
      
       New York becomes the second-most populous state, after   
       California, to legalize recreational marijuana.  Legalization   
       backers hope the Empire State will add momentum and set an   
       example with its efforts to redress the inequities of a system   
       that has locked up people of color for marijuana offenses at   
       disproportionate rates.   
      
       "By placing community reinvestment, social equity, and justice   
       front and center, this law is the new gold standard for reform   
       efforts nationwide," said Melissa Moore, New York state director   
       of the Drug Policy Alliance.   
      
       The legislation provides protections for cannabis users in the   
       workplace, housing, family court, schools, colleges and   
       universities, and sets a target of providing half of marijuana   
       licenses to individuals from underrepresented communities.  And   
       police could no longer use the odor of cannabis as a reason for   
       searching someoneCÇÖs car for contraband.   
      
       New York will start automatically expunging some past   
       marijuana-related convictions, and people wonCÇÖt be arrested or   
       prosecuted for possession of pot up to 3 ounces.  A 2019 law   
       already expunged many past convictions and reduced the penalty   
       for possessing small amounts.   
      
       In a unique provision, New Yorkers 21 and over can now smoke   
       cannabis in public, including on sidewalks.  No other state   
       allows that, said Paul Armentano, deputy director of   
       pro-legalization group NORML.   
      
       Still, New Yorkers can't smoke or vape marijuana in locations   
       where smoking is prohibited by state law, including workplaces,   
       indoor bars and restaurants and within 100 feet of a school.   
       And stricter local smoking rules apply: New York City bans   
       smoking in parks and on beaches, for instance.   
      
       Local governments can pass stricter rules on marijuana use,   
       prohibit retail dispensaries or cannabis lounges, and impose   
       small civil penalties CÇö as long as they donCÇÖt "completely or   
       essentially prohibit a person" from lawful marijuana use.   
      
       Mackenzie Stevenson, a portrait photographer and dental   
       assistant in central New York, was thrilled at the news.  She   
       has a relative with epilepsy whoCÇÖs been greatly helped by   
       medical marijuana.   
      
       CÇ£I've seen the benefits it's had for her, so ICÇÖm excited for   
       more people to be able to benefit from it," the 20-year-old   
       said.   
      
       [...]   
       tinyurl.com/3vv6dbay   
       https://www.wral.com/   
      
       FIDOGAZETTE  Vol 15 No 05    Page  2         March 31, 2021   
      
      
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