New York keeps inching closer to marijuana legalization

ALBANY - New York's health regulators are nearing completion of a much-anticipated study of recreational marijuana that could clear the way for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to support legalizing the drug.

The state Department of Health has signaled it will soon submit its findings to Cuomo, who has softened his anti-marijuana stance over the years as legalization has drawn more public support.

The expected release of the study — which is examining the impact recreational marijuana would have on New York — comes after the state Democratic Party threw its weight behind a bill to legalize the drug, passing a resolution at its convention Wednesday supporting the measure.

In a statement, Health Department spokeswoman Jill Montag said the agency has been "working to assess the health, economic and criminal justice impact of a regulated marijuana program in New York state and to explore the impact on New York of marijuana legalization in surrounding states."

Read more: https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/politics/albany/2018/05/25/marijuana-new-york-keeps-inching-closer/644717002/