N.Y. Lawmakers Legalize Pot, Hoping To Avoid Racial Pitfalls Of Decriminalization
Critics say in many states the legal marijuana boom hasn't benefited people of color. Lawmakers in New York say their approach, which Gov. Cuomo says he will sign, avoids those mistakes.
by Brian Mann
Mar 30, 2021
3 minutes
Democrats who dominate New York state politics pushed through a marijuana legalization measure Tuesday that backers say will expunge the felony drug records of tens of thousands of people.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signaled in a statement he will sign the measure, saying it will bring "justice for long-marginalized communities."
Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes, who championed the measure for years, told NPR her first goal was to keep people in her Buffalo, N.Y. community out of prison.
"It's been horrible," she said. "This specific
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