By Benjie Cooper
IG: @nuglifenews
YouTube: Lucid’s Vlog
This week, New York will be hosting three listening sessions in a series of meetings focused on gathering public input on the issue of marijuana legalization in the state. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the meetings earlier this month.
“Community input is critical as we work to draft balanced and comprehensive legislation on a regulated marijuana program in New York,” said Cuomo. “The multi-agency report identified the benefits of a regulated marijuana market, and with these listening sessions we are taking another important step to develop a model program for New York.”
In January, Cuomo commissioned the multi-agency report which was led by the Department of Health to evaluate the impact that legalizing cannabis in New York might have. The study found that the benefits outweighed any negative consequences.
Meetings in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island are scheduled to take place this week with several more happening in other cities during the rest of September and October. Other listening sessions have already taken place in Albany, Glens Falls, Bronx, and Manhattan.
“We look forward to hearing what New Yorkers in every corner of the state have to say,” said Cuomo.
New York legislators are expected to work toward legalizing cannabis in the state in 2019 and are looking to community members and key stakeholders for input to help guide them through the process.
Doors open at 5:30 and all listening sessions run from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For more information and registration, visit the New York state website.
Queens – Monday, September 24, 2018
Jamaica Performing Arts Center – Main Auditorium Theater
153-10 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432
Brooklyn – Tuesday, September 25
Long Island University Brooklyn Campus – Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Staten Island – Wednesday, September 26
College of Staten Island – The Williamson Theater
2800 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10314
