New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointed a task force to draft recreational marijuana legislation which, if eventually enacted, would position the state to have potentially one of the largest adult-use cannabis markets in the country.
A 20-member group consisting of New York state government and law enforcement officials, advocates and academics has been appointed to draft the legislation.
They are charged with coming up with recommendations for the state’s Legislature to consider in its upcoming session.
The group’s appointment comes three weeks after state officials issued a long-awaited report on the topic.
The state health department analysis concluded the benefits of legalizing recreational cannabis outweigh the risks.
The study estimated that a regulated industry could bring in between $248 million (7% tax rate) and $677 million (15% tax rate) in local and state tax revenue in its first year.
Cuomo, a Democrat, said the group will be led by his counsel, Alphonso David.
The group also includes Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker and the heads of several other state agencies, legal advocates and academics from the University at Albany, the University at Buffalo and New York University.
– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily
