New York is on the cusp of legalizing recreational marijuana for adult use. State lawmakers reached a deal Saturday and it’s expected to be voted on and signed into law any day now. It would expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program and set up a licensing and taxation system for recreational sales. Of the 13% marijuana sales tax proposed, 9% would go to the state, 3% to the municipality where the sale is made, and 1% to the county. Rockland sheriff Lou Falco has many reservations about the concept and is firmly against it…
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration estimates legalization could eventually bring the state about $350 million annually and create 30,000 to 60,000 jobs. Individual New Yorkers could grow a limited number of plants for personal consumption, and local governments could opt out of retail sales.