Looks Like New York Will Be Next to Legalize Pot

“Let’s legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all." The speaker of those words on Monday was none other than New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who as recently as last year opposed the legalization of something he viewed as a "gateway drug," reports the Democrat and Chronicle. Now, however, Cuomo has done an about-face, and it looks like New York has a decent chance of joining 10 other states and the District of Columbia in legalizing marijuana in a matter of months, reports the New York Times.

“The fact is we have had two criminal justice systems: one for the wealthy and the well off, and one for everyone else,” Cuomo told the American Bar Association in Manhattan, per Marijuana Moment. "And that's going to end." Another factor: The move could generate an estimated $1.7 billion in sales per year and provide a nice bump in tax revenue. When the state legislature returns in January, Democrats will control both houses for the first time in years, making it likely a bill will be on Cuomo's desk relatively quickly. (More marijuana legalization stories.)