Marijuana Expected to be Legalized in New York in a Few Weeks

New York officials believe marijuana is going to be legalized in New York in the very near future.

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As Gov. Andrew Cuomo prepares for legalized marijuana in New York he will visit states that have legalized cannabis programs to learn more about their programs to help inform his efforts to pass similar legislation in the state budget this year.

"I also want to make sure that it is done correctly, and you look at states that have legalized marijuana, many of them have generated more questions. One of those issues that everybody has goals, we want a goal of social equity, we want to make sure young people can't get it, et cetera. We want to make sure there are advantages to communities that have been oppressed," Cuomo said.

Cuomo announced plans to travel to Massachusetts, Illinois, Colorado and California to see what has worked and was hasn't worked, in hopes of getting it right in New York and avoid past mistakes.

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"So, I'm going to visit Massachusetts, Illinois and California or Colorado, which are three states that have legalized it and have different versions, and bring my team to meet with them, discuss what they've done, what's worked, what hasn't worked. Has the social equity piece worked? Has the law enforcement piece worked? So that we have the best bill and the best system when we pass it, and I want to pass it by April 1," Cuomo said.

According to the governor's office, Cuomo wants to see marijuana legalized in New York for adult use by April, which is when the state budget must be approved.