New York State officials are inviting the public to share their thoughts on a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana during a pair of listening sessions on Long Island.
One session will be held Oct. 16 in Suffolk County and another is scheduled for Sept. 27 in Nassau County as a part of a statewide listening tour.
“As we begin the process of creating a model regulated marijuana program, it is critical that we reach communities across the state in order to hear what New Yorkers have to say,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.
If the proposal passes the state legislature, New York would become the 10th state nationwide, including Washington, D.C., to legalize smoking recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21.
The governor ordered in January a multi-agency study, led by the Department of Health, to assess the impact of a regulated marijuana program in New York State. The assessment in July determined that the positive impacts outweigh the potential negatives, officials said. That led to the creation of a Regulated Marijuana Workgroup made up of experts that will review feedback received at these listening sessions.
The Nassau session will be held Sept. 27 at Hofstra University, 1000 Fulton Ave., in Hempstead, in the Student Center Amphitheater. The second will be help Oct. 16 in the Clarion Conference Center, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, in the Crystal Ballroom. Both will run from 6-8 p.m.
