New York – “Today marks an important step in the process of healing and recovery for communities long overcriminalized by racially disparate marijuana laws. In New York City, people of color accounted for almost 94 percent marijuana-related arrests last year. We have seen that these laws do not enhance public safety. Just the opposite: they have torn communities apart.

This reform is long overdue. I am proud to vote for this bill and serve as a co-sponsor. I thank Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Senator Liz Krueger for leading the effort to expunge our antiquated marijuana laws from the books and adopt a responsible regulatory framework for our State”