New York governor signs law decriminalizing marijuana use News
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New York governor signs law decriminalizing marijuana use

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Monday which decriminalizes marijuana use in the state.

The bill, S.6579A/A.8420, removes criminal penalties for possession of marijuana in amounts less than two ounces. It sets the penalty for the possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana to a $50 fine. There will now be a maximum of $200 fine for the possession of between 1 and 2 ounces of marijuana.

“New York’s existing marijuana laws disproportionately affect African American and Latino communities, and this legislation will address those racial and ethnic disparities by reducing the penalty for unlawful possession of marijuana to a violation punishable by a fine.”

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