New York will be the 15th state in the United States of America to legalise the use of marijuana. The state passed a bill on Tuesday legalising its use for recreational purposes. New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, affirmed that he would sign the bill into law.
“For too long the prohibition of cannabis disproportionately targeted communities of colour with harsh prison sentences,” the governor said in a statement
Cuomo’s office estimate an increase of annual tax revenue by $350 million (Ksh38bn). “This landmark legislation provides justice for long marginalised communities, embraces a new industry that will grow the economy and establishes substantial safety guards for the public,” observed Cuomo
In Kenya, the late legislator, Kenneth Okoth, had tabled a bill in parliament in 2019 to decriminalise marijuana. A couple of national leaders like former Nairobi governor, Mike Sonko, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, Senator Ledama Olekina among others share similar sentiments.