New York Governor Reduces Penalties for Cannabis Possession

Governor Cuomo has signed legislation into law decriminalizing marijuana throughout the state of New York. The law takes effect in 30 days. Possession of one ounce or less is now a small penalty of just $50.

Possession of up to 2 ounces is a maximum penalty of $200, according to WHEC 10 News. Those that have already been convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana will soon be able to apply for expungement of that conviction. It isn’t said whether the fine will increase for repeated citations for marijuana possession.

Governor Cuomo said, “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. By providing individuals who have suffered the consequences of an unfair marijuana conviction with a path to have their records expunged and by reducing draconian penalties, we are taking a critical step forward in addressing a broken and discriminatory criminal justice process.”