New York governor says legalization of adult-use cannabis unlikely this year

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he doesn’t believe it’s feasible for lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana in 2019.

The Democrat told reporters he doesn’t see sufficient support to pass the measure in the state Senate.

Cuomo said he backs the legalization of marijuana but the issue remains controversial for many legislators.

And he noted that the recent failure of recreational marijuana legalization efforts in New Jersey sapped some momentum in New York.

Adult-use marijuana sales would have created a $1.7 billion market, generated significant new business opportunities in the cannabis industry and curtailed the state’s thriving illicit market.

Lawmakers insist they’re not giving up on passing rec legalization before they adjourn June 19.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat, said lawmakers are working to find compromises.

Despite broad support for legalization, there are disagreements about the regulatory details and whether the bill should include provisions expunging past low-level marijuana convictions.

– Associated Press