Cuomo Signs Law Decriminalizing Marijuana Use in New York

Gov. Cuomo signed legislation Monday decriminalizing marijuana use in the state of New York.

The law reduces unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine.

• Study: Airplane Contrails Are Adding to Climate Change

Additionally, it also creates a process for individuals convicted of certain marijuana offenses to have their records expunged.

The governor's office said that New York's existing marijuana laws disproportionately affects African American and Latino communities, and the legislation addresses the racial and ethnic disparities.

"Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by laws governing marijuana for far too long, and today we are ending this injustice once and for all," Cuomo said.

The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Photo Credit: NurPhoto / Getty Images

from NBC New York - Top Stories https://ift.tt/311gJ9X