The legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use is sweeping the country. There are quite a few states that are now allowing the use by adults legally in any capacity. New York is not one of those states. There have been moves to try to fully legalize the drug, but there are also many hold outs who are not quite sure now is the time for this state to do it.
The Tribune explains that lawmakers in the state feel now is not the right time to legalize marijuana because experts say it is a risk to public health. This is coming off the heels of a vaping incident that saw serious injuries and fatalities due to the illegal use of vaping products containing THC, which is the active drug in marijuana.
Experts, including law enforcement and doctors, say that legalizing the drug now is not going to help with controlling underage use of products. They also feel it will not help with the efforts to stop illegal products on the black market, which were to blame for the vaping illness.
Also, it does not help that there are much more pressing issues that lawmakers need to tackle in 2020. They have serious budget issues on the agenda that require a lot of time and resources. There really is not the ability to hear arguments and do everything that is necessary to legalize marijuana in the state while also managing the other important issues that cannot wait.
The bottom line is that legalizing marijuana takes time and a lot of resources that the state simply does not have right now. So, it does not look like New York will see marijuana legalized this year.
