In the cannabis world, New York lawmakers are grappling over whether to use legal weed taxes to fund subways or social justice, while Denver is working on clearing former pot offenders\u2019 records, and hemp moves one more step toward legality.<\/p>\n
At long last, it seems like legal pot in New York is becoming less of a pipe dream and more of an inevitability. Lawmakers are currently hard at work drafting a legalization bill, and rumor has it that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning on including legal pot tax revenue in next year’s budget proposal. Legal weed could bring the Empire State billions each year, and lawmakers must now decide whether to use that cash to fix New York City’s antiquated subway system or to reinvest it in communities that have been ravaged by decades of prohibition.<\/p>\n
Across the country, Denver is taking its own steps toward social justice. Last week, Mayor Michael Hancock announced that the city may clear over 10,000 low-level cannabis convictions dating back to 2001. And in Utah, activists are suing to overturn a new law that imposes several restrictions on the state’s brand-new medical marijuana program, which was just approved by voters last month. Hemp is also one step closer to becoming legal this week, now that GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell has signed the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill (with a hemp pen, no less.)<\/p>\n
\nMaking it official with my hemp pen! \ufe0f Proud to have served as conferee on #FarmBill<\/a> & to fight for #Kentucky<\/a> priorities. With today's signature, my provision to legalize industrial #hemp<\/a> is 1 step closer to reality. Looking forward to voting YES on this bill & sending to @POTUS<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8ypwBebXy7<\/a><\/p>\n
— Leader McConnell (@senatemajldr) December 10, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n