New York lawmakers are expected to go back to Albany this week to kick off the new legislative session. This session will be the second year of near-total control of state government by the Democrats. In last year’s session, Democrats passed many pending bills that were long desired by the liberals. In 2020, they are getting ready to tackle complicated New York cannabis legalization topics.
These weed bills are yet to pass the floor of the House. They include aid-in-dying, legalization of recreational cannabis, paid surrogacy, and a single-payer health care system.
Tax Revenue Debate
All efforts to legalize recreational cannabis failed in New York in 2019. However, lawmakers say legalization again is a top priority in 2020. Legalization may be getting closer, but there is still a lot of conversation to be had.
A significant point of contention is deciding where the resulting state revenues from marijuana production and sales would be channelled towards. There is also some hesitation among various Senate Democrats on Long Island, as confirmed by the Senate Majority Leader, Andrea-Stewart Cousins.
Democrats want the money to go to more specific purposes while the current governor pushes for revenues to go to the state’s general fund. Stewart hopes that the realized income will help the state in general and communities of colour that are negatively affected by cannabis law enforcement.
Governor Andrew Cuomo wants New York, Connecticut, and all other neighbouring states to partner in the creation of recreational cannabis policies. A number of the Northeast Democratic governors who support cannabis legalization have encountered opposition from more hesitant lawmakers.
This year being a budget year with a looming $6 billion deficit, it will be crucial to find new sources of revenue. Labour groups hope the legislators will pass efforts to offer protection to the workers in the gig economy. The growing cannabis sectors might have a few answers to the increasing deficit.
