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Hello, communicators:

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill legalizing recreational marijuana use for the Empire State yesterday after the bill passed with majorities in both the state Senate and General Assembly.

Though retail sales are not expected to start for 12-18 months, the decision will result in a large tax boom for the state, which has taken a substantial loss in tourism revenue over the past year due to the pandemic.

In his messaging, Gov. Cuomo explicitly tied the law to racial equity and stated that the program will prioritize helping communities who have been impacted most by the War on Drugs. He also said that 40% of recreational cannabis tax would fund education:

NY’s adult-use cannabis program will use tax revenue to invest in communities that have disproportionally suffered under failed marijuana prohibition.

Get the details on New York’s adult-use cannabis legislation: https://t.co/cHShOIEkou pic.twitter.com/42XSuAmh9G

— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 31, 2021