New York Gov. Pledges Marijuana Legalization in Inaugural Speech

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said several times that he intends to legalize recreational marijuana in New York. He confirmed his intentions in his inaugural speech last week.

The first 100 days of Cuomo’s third term in office are said to be “the most progressive agenda this state has ever seen, period,” according to SF Gate.

“When they write the history books and ask what did we do – in the face of anger and division, when people were disillusioned, let New York’s answer be that in this defining moment we brought healing and light and hope and progress and action,” Cuomo stated. “That New York led on legalizing recreational marijuana, bringing justice and new economic opportunity not for rich corporations, but for the poor communities that paid too high a price for too long.”

Cuomo has been quoted as calling marijuana a “gateway drug” but has since rescinded that statement. His first actual endorsement of legalization came in December.

New York will likely legalize marijuana in 2019 along with a few other states.