Majority Of New Yorkers Now Support Cannabis Legalization

While lawmakers bicker about cannabis reform in Albany, more Empire State residents are voicing their support for marijuana legalization than ever before.

The Big Apple is finally ready to go green.

After decades of reputation building as one of the country’s most over-policed states, New Yorkers are finally speaking up in support of cannabis legalization. According to the New York Post, a new survey from Siena College showed 58% support for legalization, compared to just 38% who said that they support prohibition.

In recent years, Democratic New York lawmakers have tried their hardest to push through marijuana reform in the state house, but have repeatedly received pushback from the legislature’s right wing contingent and a number of skeptical progressives. Last year, a bill to legalize cannabis for adult-use was shot down at the end of the legislative session.  When it comes to the will of the people, though, it is clear that the Empire State is ready for legalization.

Last year, a similar Siena College poll found 55% support for legalization and 40% opposition. And while a 5% year over year swing may not seem like much, that jump in support is the highest number of cannabis support that Siena pollsters have ever recorder. 

But while most city dwellers are decidedly ready to add legal weed dispensaries to the City that Never Sleeps, suburban New Yorkers are a different story. Outside of New York City, only 48% of suburban Empire State residents support legalization, with 44% opposing pot reform. 

Thankfully, Big Apple residents carry most of the pull in New York, and Governor Andrew Cuomo is already siding with the majority in his own legalization push. Just last week, Cuomo took time during his annual State of the State speech to promise constituents that he would try his hardest to pass legalization by the end of the year. Adding haste to that promise, Gov. Cuomo has already included a legalization provision in his newly released annual budget plan.

So will 2020 be the year that New York finally goes to pot? Only time will tell, but prospects are certainly looking…well, high.

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Adam

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